Opening Up Entrepreneurship

Dear Prudence Thrift Shop is Eau Claire’s Newest Sweetheart

new thrift boutique is dreamin’ big – and local

Natalie Derks |

WON’T YOU COME OUT TO PLAY? Samara Snapp wants to keep fashion local and low priced with her new thrift shop, Dear Prudence.
WON’T YOU COME OUT TO PLAY? Samara Snapp wants to keep fashion local and low priced with her new thrift shop, Dear Prudence.

Get fly on a dime with downtown Eau Claire’s newest thrift shop, Dear Prudence.

Samara Snapp, owner of Dear Prudence Thrift Boutique (515 Wisconsin St.), dreamt up the idea of her business back in 2020. However, she decided to shelf those plans due to the COVID-19 pandemic – until now.  

“After 12 years of being in the service industry and working for other people, my husband and I decided it was time for me to start up my passion,” Snapp shared. “I love more than anything to make people happy and feel important with my service skills; so, we had to figure out a way to make that into my own thing.”  

Dear Prudence offers everything from clothing to home decor to furniture. Because of the ever-changing stock, the shop might not always look the same, as Snapp plans to roll out new products on a regular basis. 

“Dear Prudence is the true meaning of shopping local,” Snapp said. “We buy all of our product from local people, rummage sales, estate sales, and thrift stores.”  

You don’t need to worry about breaking the bank at Dear Prudence, either. Snapp said that she loves finding a good deal, and she buys low so her customers can buy low. In fact, this is the meaning behind the shop’s name, which is – you guessed it – a nod to a Beatles song.  

“I started to look up synonyms for the word ‘thrift,’ and I saw the word ‘Prudence,’ ” Snapp shared.  “I know The Beatles were singing about a lady and not saving money, but I thought it fit perfectly for the shop.”  

While Dear Prudence doesn’t offer consignment right now, Snapp hopes to do so in the future.  In addition, she wants to add flea markets and rummage sales to their services.  

“What this means is for people who have so much stuff they don’t know what to do with it, Dear Prudence could come do a sale for you at your home and potentially make you some money,” Snapp shared. 

As for now, though, Snapp is just excited to see customers come in, peruse the shop, and find items that make them feel amazing.  

“That’s what we are here for,” Snapp said. “We are here to make sure people leave feeling refreshed, less stress about shopping, and maybe even inspired.”

Dear Prudence is open Wednesday through Friday from 11am-6pm and Saturdays from 9am-5pm. 


Find more information on Dear Prudence’s Facebook page.