New Thrift Store in Columbus enjoys huge opening

Since opening her street side outlet on June 23rd, Stefanie Funkhouser’s Busy Bug Thrift and Things has never been busier.

“With the opening, it was the outpour of customers bringing stuff in, and not enough manpower behind to push everything out, I think the was the most challenging part of it,” she said.

She opened her business years ago as an online store, and with a much different concept.

“I actually originally was going to do a boutique,” Stefanie said. “but talking to other people in the community they had convinced me there was a need for a second-hand store.”

She tried to settle for a compromise. But one side of the business won out overall.

“I was going to do both, the new clothing and used, and the used clothing overtook the new,” Stefanie said. “There is no more new clothing right now.”

Her husband, Michael, runs his award-winning home construction and inspection business right in the back.

“When we got the building, I said ‘hey, I will just make an office in the back so my customers can meet me here. And then the rest of the building we’ll make for your business,’” he said.

“It kind of kills two birds with one stone.”

The setup brings new meaning to the phrase, “married to your work.” But it’s been beneficial for them both so far.

“She definitely enjoys it a lot more than doing the online thing,” Michael said. “Because it took up the whole exercise room at our house. I had clothes hanging all over my gym stuff, and I wasn’t able to work out every day. It definitely freed up a lot of space at the house.”

Stefanie says she originally opened her shop to serve those with lower income, and opening her new outlet on 12th street has allowed her to help them even more.

“Being able to help anyone and everyone in the community, it has been amazing,” Stefanie said.