Thrift Shop Roadtrip: CHICAGO, IL

Impossible for me to attend eBay Live without visiting a few thrift shops in the exotic port of call of Chicago. I ventured out with a colleague who lives in Chicago and works for folks literally on the Forbes wealthiest people in America list (names you know). This friend knew where THESE folks donate-amazing inside information. My idea of a good time!
Here goes:

1. WHITE ELEPHANT RESALE SHOP
2380 N. Lincoln Avenue
Chicago, IL
773.883.6184
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Thursday: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Sunday: Noon to 5 p.m.

The White Elephant is a somewhat large and cavernous shop in hip Lincoln Park. While the clothing selection is solid, there seemed to be more in the way of housewares, collectibles, prints, furniture and books. I got the immediate sense that there was possibility for true treasure here, and I was correct. Prices vary widely, but there were still fabulous bargains. I left with a stunning European lace blouse, and a pristine silk Tommy Bahama camp shirt, each five dollars. Actually, everything in this store was in perfect condition. I do not know if it is just the caliber of donations, or if the staff vets what comes in, but there is a palpable difference in quality from most thrift shops. I also found a vintage Roper cowgirl western shirt, and a medium sized Herve Chapelier tote for three dollars each. My friend left with a pair of KILLER black suede ornate embroidered books reminiscent of Madonna in Desperately Seeking Susan-twenty bucks, and a classic Hermes silk tie for $10.

I could really get lost in their large and very special book department. I wish I had room to travel home with the many coffee table sized Elvis books, or what seemed like a lifetime collection of Sotheby's auction catalogs. I could not pass up a beautiful book of gnome art, signed by the author. There was a room of very interesting small furniture pieces as well. This shop is a TEN, and worth a special trip when in Chicagoland. Proceeds benefit the Children's Memorial Hospital, as if you need a reason to feel any better about your treasures! PS We left with our booty in big Louis Vuitton shopping bags.

2. THE ARK THRIFT SHOP
3345 N. Lincoln Ave.
Chicago, IL
773-248-1117
Monday-Thurs 10-6, Friday 10-5 (summer) 10-2 (winter), Sunday 11-5

Another thrift shop known by my eBay Live friend to be a favorite of her employer is the Ark. It is too far down N. Lincoln Ave from the White Elephant to walk, so we grabbed a cab. This is a HUGE supersize store, with furniture and housewares on the ground floor, clothing, shoes and accessories upstairs. Lo and behold, we were greeted upon arrival with the news that the upper level was conducting a five dollar bag sale. Best news ever in the land of upscale junk! However, the downside was that we had about thirty minutes to explore what could easily been a full day affair. No matter. I attacked the shoes with gusto and promptly filled a bag with 10 pairs of Ferragamo and other fabulous designer shoes, including a pair of Zegna men's formal tuxedo shoes. I did a quick lap around the massive clothing floor, but decided I had more then I could possibly fit into my suitcase and decided my work was done for the day.

Upon paying, with the lights closing behind us, it occurred to me that I did not have my camera (notice there is no photo of The Ark). I begged to be let back upstairs to check if I put it down while arranging my shoes in the bag (packing a serious "bag day" bag is one of my superpowers). No luck. Please know that my camera is the core of my eBay empire. It is also somewhat sentimental, as I purchased it with the gift card given to me by my colleagues when I left my job at Hofstra Law School. It was also quite expensive. As I was leaving my contact information with the store manager with a heavy heart, the CAB DRIVER who had taken us from White Elephant came running in with my camera. What a wonderful guy. What an amazing random act of kindness which I will pay forward as soon as the opportunity presents itself. So, Instead of a photo of the Ark, here is Afiye Abdulle, the nicest, most honorable cab driver in Chicago!!




3. GOODWILL CHICAGO
Washington Street Store
1201 W. Washington Blvd
Chicago, IL
312-563-1187
Monday - Friday 9-9, Saturday 9-8, Sunday 10 -7

While this medium sized Goodwill was not on my friends "treasure map", we decided to check it out as it is open later then most other thrift shops. This store was neat as a pin. While it looks like a garden variety Goodwill, upon commencing digging, it was clear that it held an abundance of treasure. Mixed in with the usual goods were J. Crew brand new with all tags jeans, fabulous Escada jeans, and a number of pieces I recognized from anthropologie, including lux lux and Elevenses pants and blazers. My friend picked up a vintage Custo Barcelona top, and a killer Anne Fontaine blouse. While the suits were marked a pricey $50 and up, there were a plethora of crisp chinos from Brooks Brothers and Polo for three or four dollars. Ditto for beautiful button down mens shirts, fresh from the cleaners from Ralph Lauren, Faconnable, Armani and more. The closer I looked, the more treasures surfaced.

I absolutely loved everything about Chicago, including the small, but potent sample of fabulous thrift shops!

Thrift Shop Roadtrip: HUNTINGTON, NY

Huntington is the mecca of arts, dining, entertainment, and shopping on the North Shore of Long Island, New York. It also boasts a beautiful waterfront and boating community. This town is one of the few places on Long Island where the streets are still full of people after midnight- more akin to the Upper West Side of Manhattan then suburbia. Amongst this great energy and wealth, comes some great thrifting opportunities. Here are a few I hit today:

1. GOODWILL OF EAST NORTHPORT
1900 Jericho Turnpike
Huntington, NY
631-462-4219
M-Sat 9:30-8, Sun. 10-7

Lovely medium sized free standing store. Borders on swanky Dix Hills. When I arrived, the circular drive up donation area was crowded with luxury cars making donations of overflowing status shopping bags. The caliber of items in this shop are overwhelmingly high end, especially the woman's clothing. Lots of bric a brac, housewares, etc. My favorite find here was a few months ago- an original Trader Vic's Suffering Bastard Tiki Mug. I paid $2.00, and sold it for $230.00. Like a slot player, I continue to return to "play this machine" (return to this aisle) to see if it will "hit" again! This store also seems to get damaged goods, past season, and returned merchandise from Target. This is great. lots of boxed dish sets and small appliances for a fraction of the price. Also the perfect place for sheets and bedding still in original packaging. Certainly worth the trip if in the area!

CLEANLINESS: EXCELLENT
ORGANIZATION: EXCELLENT
PRICE: GOOD. one color tag 50% off each week.
MERCHANDISE: EXCELLENT
MUSIC: LOCAL POP RADIO
RETURNS: YES, EXCEPT FOR SALE ITEMS.




2. ST. VINCENT DE PAUL FURNITURE THRIFT SHOP
1705 Jericho Turnpike
Huntington, NY
631-858-0380
M-Sat 10-6

Noteworthy in that this is a large, freestanding furniture thrift shop. There is a bit of dishware and framed artwork, but it is primarily a big used furniture showroom. There is a constant flow of new merchandise, and items are marked down every month they are in store. In addition to full dining room and living room sets, there are piles of beautiful headboards and mirrors. If you are moving, or redecorating, stop by often. The best merchandise does not last long. If you are quick you can nab a true high end treasure!

CLEANLINESS: EXCELLENT
ORGANIZATION: EXCELLENT
PRICE: GOOD. especially if what you have been looking for has been hanging around a few months.
MERCHANDISE: EXCELLENT
MUSIC: NONE
RETURNS: NO

3. NORTHERN THRIFT
2035 New York Avenue
Huntington Station, NY
631-673-4790
M-Sat 9-8, Sun 9:30-6

Huge freestanding thirft superstore, with its own large parking lot. I am not sure if this store is affiliated with any charitable organization. The employee's did not know if they were affiliated with a charity, and there is no signage to that effect. This shop may be huge, and quite roomy and comfortable to shop in, but the merchandise seems picked through. In all the times I have visited, I have never seen any true, high-end treasures. I have a sneaky feeling that the better items are sent elsewhere. The prices are also quite high. Best for interesting t-shirts and other less expensive items, or look for sale items. Otherwise, it is more of a "retail" priced junk shop. If you have some time to kill, it is worth a visit, but I would not go out of my way to visit this rather soulless store.

CLEANLINESS: EXCELLENT
ORGANIZATION: EXCELLENT
PRICE: FAIR. two color tags 50% off each week.
MERCHANDISE: FAIR
MUSIC: MORNING ZOO
RETURNS: NO

4. COMMUNITY THRIFT SHOP
274 New York Avenue
Huntington Village, NY
631-271-4883
M-Sat 10-4

A lovely, funky, smaller shop, more in the "old school" thrift tradition. This shop benefits Cancer Care, Family Service League, Huntington Hospital, Planned Parenthood, and Visiting Nurse Service & Hospice of Suffolk, Inc. It is staffed by a large group of happy volunteers. Merchandise is always interesting. A great mix of high end old and new. Mostly clothing, but lots of other finds. Prices are not great (I get the feeling that the cadre of volunteers confer and debate what to mark each item at length. Even the tags are written out with great care and detail), but there are lots of one of a kind treasures to be found. Cash only.

CLEANLINESS: VERY GOOD
ORGANIZATION: VERY GOOD
PRICE: JUST OK
MERCHANDISE: VERY GOOD
MUSIC: NO MUSIC, JUST HAPPY CHATTER OF VOLUNTEERS AND OTHER SHOPPERS.
RETURNS: NO










After shopping, treat yourself to a meal or cocktail in this beautiful town.

How Hardcore are you?

So, you think you are a serious thrift shopper? Are you ready to put your love of junk to the test? Then perhaps you are ready for Goodwill Outlets, which are the "thrift shop's, thrift shop". Here, merchandise rotated out of regular Goodwill retail outlets comes to rest, and is sold for $1.39 per pound (may vary a bit by location).

Now, you know I LOVE thrift shops. I find the digging relaxing, almost meditative. NOT HERE. I had the opportunity to recently visit a Goodwill Outlet in West Palm Beach Florida (the 1887 Old Okeechobee Rd Store). I was not prepared for thrifting as a full contact sport!

Picture a big warehouse filled with tables piled with junk. Watchful customers circle like vultures, awaiting the arrival of new merchandise, which comes out about every hour. My companion was a regular, and recognized most of the other shoppers as people who spend all day, every day awaiting the arrival of fresh prey.

The new merchandise arrives in a giant bin on wheels. So aggressive is the crowd, that the employee just launches it into their general direction, and the mob (including my companion) pounces in an insane feeding frenzy around the bin. I have been told that sometimes they pounce too hard, and the police must be called. My companion was able to literally wrestle out a vintage pure cashmere Mark Cross robe, then a jeweled St. John jacket. I have no idea how items of this caliber slipped through the Goodwill cracks, but it seemingly happens all the time. This is why a cult like following of folks are ready to do battle at these shops.

In chatting with other shoppers between incoming bins, I was told that in some outlets there is a line drawn on the floor shoppers must stand behind while the bins are emptied onto the table. The employees then utilize a hand signal to indicate GO, and the shoppers stampede and throw merchandise around like piranhas at feeding time.

Since I value my dignity (despite what some may think), as well as my safety, I chose to shop only once the alpha dogs had their fill. I was still able to pluck a few interesting items from the pile, but clearly- if you want more then leftovers, you must be willing to rumble.

I am afraid that I do not pass the hardcore thrift shopper test. I will stick to a zen-like perusal of the racks. However, it is worth a visit just to see the underbelly of the thrift shop world, and to find out if you are a true combat ready shopper!