*Says ThriftNation is about giving comfort without breaking bank

Buoyed up by her frustration of not finding anywhere in Benin, Edo State to buy good fairly used household items like furniture and others easily, Omonor Ogbebor, a passionate entrepreneur has disclosed how she founded ThriftNation, the ancient City’s first organized Declutter store.

Omonor, known for her resilience, creativity, and heart for people, is committed to creating jobs, building trust, and improving everyday lives through purpose-driven ventures. She now owns and runs multiple businesses and also leads a thriving NGO focused on community empowerment and social impact.

Narrating how it all started, Omonor who returned back to Benin City in 2017 after losing her mother stated that she had no idea that what she ventured into would spark a movement that would change the way the city buys and sells household items.

She recalled, “The memories of my late mother were so loud, that I couldn’t live in my mom’s house anymore”.

So she did what many young adults do when life feels too heavy—she tried to start afresh by renting her own space. But then, came the challenge; furnishing it.

“Everything was just too expensive. I just wanted a clean, decent bed and chair, nothing fancy,” she laughs. “But to my surprise, there was nowhere in Benin to buy good, fairly used furniture easily. No trusted declutter store, nothing organized—just chaos”, she said adding that, after exhausting all options locally, she resorted to buying from Lagos. That decision, in hindsight, felt more like an obstacle course than a solution. From difficulty finding a driver to expensive transport and stained furniture on arrival, it was a hard lesson. But instead of just complaining about the struggle, Omonor turned her frustration into a solution. She founded ThriftNation, Benin’s very first Declutter/ Resale store.

Continuing, she admitted that, “It started small. People didn’t trust us. Some sellers wouldn’t show up. Some buyers tried to outsmart the system. Some items came with surprises we didn’t bargain for. But we kept going”.

She noted that over time, ThriftNation has built a solid reputation for connecting people with quality pre-owned household items—reliably, honestly, and with heart. The business moved from phone screens to physical space, and today, ThriftNation proudly operates a showroom in Benin City, allowing customers to see, feel, and pick items in person.

But it doesn’t end there, the road hasn’t been smooth. Just recently, the business faced another blow—their main Instagram page, years in the making, was disabled.

“That page was our mainstay,” Omonor shares. “But one thing about the ThriftNation—we are built for tough days. We’ve rebuilt before. We will again”, she

Their new backup page is already active: @ThriftNationDealers. And as expected, the community is following them right back.

ThriftNation isn’t just a store—it’s a story of grief transformed into purpose, of everyday people served with honesty, and of a city finally having a place where buying second-hand feels first-class.

As for the founder, her message is simple: “We’re still here. We’re still growing. And we’re just getting started.”

From a one-woman dream to a full team, ThriftNation has created jobs, served thousands of customers, and is now expanding into more locations within the city. The team says it’s about more than just sales—it’s about building trust, solving problems, and giving people access to comfort and quality without breaking the bank.