According to The National Association of Resale & Thrift Shops (NARTS), resale continues to gain in popularity for several reasons. For starters there’s the “green” angle; aside from the current economic conditions, people would rather consign, sell or donate their unwanted or unneeded items rather than just add to the waste stream. Some consumers prefer not to hassle with the work a yard-sale entails.
Even higher-income “fashionistas” and decorating divas have jumped on the bandwagon and are buying stylish clothing, accessories and furniture for a third or a fourth of the original price – sometimes even less – leaving money for other things in life.
Many consignment shops have evolved to incorporate a boutique appearance, carrying new and gently used upscale, name brand, and designer apparel and accessories. While the larger thrift stores may require more effort sifting through the merchandise, there is upscale clothing, accessories and shoes as well as furniture, decorating accessories and household goods to be found at bargain prices. Better yet, profits from items sold at many of these outlets support charitable causes.
Some of many resale-shopping opportunities to choose from in Roanoke:
Consignment 1st Roanoke Valley, 2065 Electric Road at Oak Grove Plaza. Owners / Operators: Wayne and Susan Moore and Nick and Martha Perez. Call first if interested in consigning furniture or large items. Electronics are not accepted for consignment. Categories: new and “like new” used furniture that is in style, antiques and collectibles, wrought iron, wicker, estates, home décor, artwork, pottery, crystal, silver, and jewelry.
Discovery Shop, 3723 Franklin Road (Townside Shopping Center) Manager: Amy Whitlow Peck. Categories: The new and gently used merchandise is donated by area businesses and individuals and includes quality and some designer clothing for women and men, home furnishings, collectibles, books and jewelry. The money from sales goes to the local chapter of the American Cancer Society. With the exception of the manager, volunteers staff the store.
Euro Fashions & Exclusives, 3635 Franklin Road ( Townside Shopping Center). Owner / Operator: Rhonda Cheatwood. Consignments by appointment only. Categories: boutique-like atmosphere, new lingerie, “like new” brand name clothing for women, accessories, jewelry, handbags, shoes, and trendy clothing. Brands carried include Armani, Chanel, Gucci, St. John’s, Ann Taylor, and more.
Express Unlimited Furniture & Consignment, 401 Campbell Avenue, SW (beside Angels of Assisi in downtown Roanoke). Owner: Anthony Miller. Manager: Tracey McNew. Categories: Has found a niche from their other business, Express Delivery & Moving, by turning customer’s used household items into cash and at the same time helping families find items they need at affordable prices. Their store offers gently used furniture, decorative accessories, electronics, and appliances.
Gently Worn, 2107 Apperson Drive (beside the Paperback Exchange) Owners / Operators: Kaye Garland and Joanne Foster. Consignments by appointment only. Categories: “lLike new” clothing for women including suits, separates, casual wear, cocktail and formal wear, shoes, handbags, jewelry, belts, designer name jeans, home decorative items, gifts. Name brands seen in the store include Talbot’s, Eddie Bauer, Gap, Ann Taylor and more.
Golden Shoestring, 621 Townside Road off of Franklin Road, (Behind Jiffy Lube) Owners/Operators: Susan Appel and Mary Ahea. Consignments by appointment only. Categories: features clothing for both women and men, upscale, designer labels, casual wear, work attire, shoes, costume jewelry, some fine jewelry, handbags.
Goodwill has several retail stores in Roanoke and surrounding areas. Categories: men and women’s clothing, accessories, furniture, kitchenware, art, music, toys, books, electronics, and collectibles. Many of the items are brand name and designer labels. Items may be donated at any of the Goodwill stores during regular business hours. The dollars spent in the stores support Goodwill’s Mission Services programs for people with disabilities and disadvantages.
Hidden Treasures Consignment Boutique 4216 Brambleton Avenue (at Brambleton Plaza) Owner/Operator: Bethany King. Consignments by appointment only. Categories: primarily designer labels and the latest fashions in clothing, shoes, purses, consigned jewelry as well as jewelry by local artists, formalwear, and furniture in order to offer an upscale venue to consign, shop, and save money.
New To Me Consignment Boutique, 1504 Grandin Road, Southwest Roanoke. Owner/Operator: Jenny Prickitt. Consignments by appointment only. Categories: Upscale boutique that sells art, furniture, clothing, shoes, gift items, jewelry, collectible antiques, decorative accessories for the home, and unique gifts.
Rescue Mission Thrift Store, 421 4th Street SE, Manager: Charlotte Anders Categories: Clothing and shoes for ladies, men, and children; toys, household goods, appliances, furniture, bedding, window treatments, formalwear, and costume jewelry. Items may be donated at the store during regular hours Monday through Saturday 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. The dollars spent in the stores are used to provide needed services for the poor such as meals, shelter and medicine.
2nd Helpings Shop/Gallery/Café – 1502 Williamson Road (in the former Sears Building) Manager: Joyce Sylvester Johnson; Co-Managers: Rhonda Hamed and Terry Wilkinson. The Roanoke Rescue Mission’s recently opened upscale thrift shop includes a store, café and art gallery. Categories: The store sells gently used fashions, furnishings, collectibles and pet accessories. Clothing is arranged by color and size. The Art Gallery, a successor to Art on a Mission at Tanglewood Mall, contains eclectic works of art including drawings, pottery, photography, sculpture and jewelry from more than 100 regional artists. All of the profits raised from the 2nd Helping store are used to fund the operating budget for Rescue Mission ministries. The purchase of original art from the gallery supports local artists and provides funds for the homeless to access the medical attention they need. Items for sale in the store originate from donations taken in at the 421 4th Street location.
By Susan Ayers [email protected]