Fans of vintage deals and fuzzy critters rejoice! A little over two and a half years after longtime Arcata Plaza staple Sidelines had its liquor license revoked following an elaborate undercover drug sting — oops! — the once-decadent space has been refashioned into the fourth thrift store location providing additional operational funding for Miranda’s Rescue, the beloved local nonprofit that for years has provided love and care for local in-need animals. As of this week, this thing is officially open.

There was a steady stream of curious customers stopping in when LoCO visited midday Tuesday. Between ringing up their finds, staff member Kaitlynn Flores told us that she’d always wanted a job like this on the Plaza and was excited to become a part of the fabric there. “I spent so long setting this place up,” she said. “It was really fun.”

Kaitlynn Flores rings up a customer on the first week of business for Miranda’s Rescue’s fourth store location

The store features many of the thrift store standards you might expect — from secondhand clothes to used furniture to a section of ’90s VHS movies that somehow always causes one to linger longer than is actually necessary. And while the space is much brighter than Sidelines regulars will recall — a fresh coat of white paint will do that — there are infrastructural souvenirs to remind you of the many rowdy days you maybe spent there. The 40-foot bar is still there, now acting as the business’s front counter. A pair of sports-themed murals by artist Ken Jarvela survived the transition. And there’s the red neon “The Sidelines” sign on the back wall. 

Brigg Paris of Miranda’s Rescue

“Yeah, we kept the sign,” Miranda’s Rescue district manager Brigg Paris told us, adding that his team worked with former Sidelines owner Sal Costanzo to make this project a reality. “Sidelines was a part of the community. It had it’s heyday, it just had an unfortunate downfall.” Paris wanted to get the word out that the store is accepting used goods donations, specifically mentioning that they can arrange furniture pick-ups (and deliveries, for that matter). 

The Outpost spent a bit of time bumbling around the new space with a camera. We share the fruits of our wandering with you now.

The old Sidelines sign will come down eventually, we’re told

Miranda’s Rescue staff: Nataley Zaucha, SeaAnna Savage, Paris and Flores

The old Sidelines bar now features fewer tequila shots and more of this

Local artist Ken Jarvela’s art, above and below, still adorns the walls


Yes, you’ve seen many of these.

Both “undies” and “men’s undies” are available to peruse. Also socks and books.

Remember this thing?

And these?

Bowls are going fast…

… as are crocodile tank tops

Li’l rhino still available, though

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