first impression: cool clear water

Posted on September 23, 2014 by highplainsthrifter

There’s a new secondhand store on the scene and I. Am. So. Smitten. It’s called Cool Clear Water, and though the business went without noticeable signage for months, the storefront full of cowboy-boots caught my eye immediately. (There’s two neon signs now, too, so you can’t miss it!)

Stopping back a few weeks later, I was beyond impressed with the selection of vintage Western wear, jewelry and boots. Oh my, the boots. Shelf, after shelf, after shelf, after shelf, lined with gloriously preserved vintage cowboys boots for men, women and children.

Owner Glenn, a 20-year resident of the neighborhood and lifelong cowboy-culture buff who named his store after this song (captured on the sly two pics below), estimates he has 300-plus pairs for sale, making Cool Clear Water the preeminent destination if you’re in the market for a new pair of shitkickers.

The store’s stock of snap-front button-downs for men is downright impressive, and includes American-made heritage labels like Ely, Wrangler, Rockmount, Pendleton, Corral West and many more brands unfamiliar to me. The selection is thick and the racks packed tight, so much so that I found myself waiting for my boyfriend to finish browsing, something that in all our years of thrifting together has never ONCE happened before.

Also notable: a decently sized assortment of vintage suits, women’s clothes (circle skirts, snap-fronts, blazers), leather motorcycle jackets, cool ’80s and ’90s tees and affordable sterling jewelry and belt buckles, most all of it vintage. Prices aren’t bargain-basement/dirt cheap, but given the standard of quality and high level of curation, I found them to be 100-percent fair. (My hon and I paid $60 for three shirts, one definitely suitable for a dressy occasion, plus a handmade vintage silver and abalone ring for me.)

But don’t just take my word for it, take a look around!

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Coming soon to the space? Guitar lessons upstairs and super-sales on the sidewalk and in the garage (weather dependent). Next time you’re up that way, stop in and take a look!

Where: 1900 Johnson St. Northeast, Minneapolis, MN 55418 (just up from the Quarry!)

Hours: Tuesday through Thursday, 11:00 to 7:00
Friday, 11:00 to 6:00
Saturday, 11:00 to 5:00
Sunday, Noon to 4:00
Monday, by appointment (call Glenn at 612.250.6661)

Contact: 612.788.4299; coolclearwatermn.com

xo,

Meghan

store review: st. vincent de paul thrift store

Posted on April 3, 2014 by highplainsthrifter

Right off of one of south Minneapolis’ busiest east-west thoroughfares (Lake Street), sits the St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store. Truth be told, for the longest time, it was never one of my favorite spots to visit. After one bad experience, I never really wanted to go back, even though it’s practically in my neighborhood. In recent months, with icy roads keeping me closer to home, I gave this store a second chance, and it has since become one of my go-to spots for a quick pop-in.

WHAT’S GOOD

♥ Furniture: Upon recent visits, the back room has housed some reasonably priced pieces of furniture, including old highboys, dressers, vanities, headboards, etc., with most of them in very clean, serviceable condition. The concrete floor and overall garage-like vibe of the back room makes me a bit hesitant to buy anything upholstered, but I’d certainly have no qualms about bringing home a table, bookcase or anything in that vein from this store.

♥ Paper goods: I’m a big fan of vintage stationery and cards, and I’m always impressed by Vinnie’s assortment of cards, packaged stationery sets and the like.

♥ One-off dishes, glass ware and vases: While I never see too many complete (or even close to complete) sets, I have found several cute plates and glasses. If you’re hunting for vases for a wedding or project, Vinnie’s has you covered there too.

♥ Picture frames: If you use old frames for DIY projects, photos or art projects, this is the place to go, with super cheap frames in lots of sizes.

WHAT’S MEH

♥ Clothes: Slim selection overall and what’s there seems a little sad. (That said, I did happen upon the cutest, navy and white striped cotton Calvin Klein dress last time I was there, so, I guess you never know.)

♥ Table linens: Another category with a surprisingly slim selection.

♥ Books: Mostly junky paperbacks and old magazines.

Take a peek around!

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Selection/Variety: ♥ ♥ ♥

Quality: ♥ ♥ ♥

Pricing: ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

Organization: ♥ ♥

Customer service: ♥ ♥ ♥

Where does money raised at this store go? With a motto of “Neighbors Helping Neighbors,” the Society of St. Vincent de Paul works not only to relieve need, but also to redress the situations that cause it. Advocating the concepts of Christian social justice, the Society believes in the rights and dignity of every individual and the need for equality of opportunity in education and employment. In 2010, Twin Cities Vincentians visited more than 1,900 neighbors in homes and hospitals, providing food, clothing, transportation and emotional comfort.

Do they take credit cards? Yes!

Do they accept donations? Yep, and they’ll even come get it from you!

Pro tip: Check out their monthly sale calendar, available here, for advance notice on tag sales, dollar days and senior discounts.

While you’re in the area: Treat yourself to tacos at any of the nearby mercados. La Alborada is great and Mercado Central also has tons of tasty options.

Where it is: 2939 12th Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55423

Hours: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday; closed on Sunday

Contact: 612.722.7882, Facebook

Have you a fan of this St. Vincent de Paul store? If so, I’d love to hear your take!

xo,

Meghan

store review: assistance league thrift shop

Posted on March 17, 2014 by highplainsthrifter

They say good things come in pairs, and if you need evidence, just drive down to the 64th block of Penn Avenue where you’ll find two wonderful thrifts—my beloved ARC’s Value Village and the star of this post, the Assistance League (AL) Thrift Shop—separated by just a stone’s throw. Though it’s more modest in size and lighter in inventory than Value Village, there’s plenty of good reasons to not skip over it!

WHAT’S GOOD

♥ Art work: There’s a reason the volunteers at the AL Thrift Shop put the artwork right up at the front of the store…it’s usually really freakin’ good. Curated (and priced) by a retired art teacher turned volunteer, everything from gorgeous oil landscapes to one-of-a-kind screen prints to vintage posters to beautifully framed photos is priced fairly (which doesn’t always mean cheaply).

♥ Designer labels: I’m not a huge label scout, but as some of you probably are, you may want to consider the array I noticed during my last visit: Burberry, Lilly Pulitzer, St. John, Ungaro, Ann Taylor, Dayton’s (vintage, obvs), J. Jill. Generally speaking, the clothing, in both style and size, skews to a more mature audience, as in, my mom would have a freakin’ hey day shopping here.

WHAT’S MEH

♥ Dishes & drink ware: Slim selection overall and what’s there seems a tad overpriced. (That said, if you’re on the hunt for quality crystal, there always seems to be a pretty set or two there.)

♥ Table linens: Another category with a surprisingly slim selection.

♥ Furniture: It’s just no their wheelhouse. While I’ve noticed a couple cherry pieces there over the years, this wouldn’t be my go-to spot if I was after a dresser, bed, bookshelves, etc.

Take a peek around!

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In a nutshell…

Selection/Variety: ♥ ♥ ♥

Quality: ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

Pricing: ♥ ♥ ♥

Organization: ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

Customer service: ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

Where does money raised at this store go? Staffed entirely by volunteers, proceeds from the store support the Assistance League’s philanthropic programs, which include providing new school uniforms for disadvantaged kids, one-on-one tutoring for second graders who are struggling with reading and providing assault survivor kits to emergency rooms around the metro area. Also, donated merchandise that doesn’t wind up for sale at the shop is given away to people in need via a partner non-profit. You can learn about all nine of AL’s charitable outlets here.

Do they take credit cards? Yes!

Do they accept donations? Yep, and you’ll get a coupon if you do!

Do they have a mailing list? You betcha, and it comes out each week. Don’t miss the 30%-off coupon good on any one item up to $50 that’s in each one. They’ll honor it if you pull it up on your phone! Sign up here or in-store at the laptop next to the checkout.

Pro tip: Clothing at the AL Thrift has a 12-week lifespan, meaning that if you wait long enough, whatever item you’re coveting will inevitably drop in price. Throughout the floor, you’ll find discount racks, but if you head all the way to the back, that’s where the 75%-off section and $1-10 bargain racks are.

While you’re in the area: Head across the street to ARC’s Value Village of course! And on the weekends, keep an eye out for estate sales happening in the ‘hood. I’ve had good luck in that little nook of the city!

Where it is: 6416 Penn Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55423

Hours: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays; 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursdays; closed Sundays

Contact: 612.866.2135, Facebook

If you pay the Assistance League Thrift Shop a visit, I’d love to hear what you think.

Happy thrifting!

xo,

Meghan

store review: new to you thriftique

Posted on January 22, 2014 by highplainsthrifter

Boy, do I love a good mid-day thrifting break. While most workdays I maintain the bad habit of eating my lunch at my desk, for sanity’s sake, I try to get away at least one day a week to hit one of the nearby thrift stores. It’s so refreshing! And luckily, just three minutes up the highway from where I work, is New To You Thriftique. Since it’s so close by, and so modest in size, it’s become my favorite spot for quick, lunch-hour pop-ins.

WHAT’S GOOD

♥ Furniture: I’m constantly surprised (and delighted) by New to You’s furniture selection. (Like this chair I posted on yesterday, which was snapped up by my pal Dana!) Every time I visit, I spy at least one or two pieces I’d be proud to have in my house…well-constructed designer pieces, many of them vintage. I’ve never once seen a piece there I’d describe as shabby or beat-up, which is quite remarkable for a second-hand shop! The prices are also quite fair, with dining sets running around $60, armchairs around $30-40, dressers $30-40 and desks $20-30.

♥ Dish sets: By now you’re probably familiar with the fact that vintage china is one of my greatest weaknesses, which sometimes makes visits to New to You difficult. Every time I go, there’s another set of pretty china that screams my name. Yesterday I was taken with a gorgeous earthenware set with black rims and pink rose accents (shown in the slideshow below)…there’s always something to tempt me!

WHAT’S MEH

♥ Clothes: While I’ve had luck in the shoe department, scoring some sensible Liz Claiborne pumps and a sweet pair of sandals last summer, I’ve never once been tempted to take home a single item of clothing from this store. The selection is pretty small overall, which is fine with me. More room for furniture!

Take a peek around!

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In a nutshell…

Selection/Variety: ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ (for furniture) ♥ ♥ ♥ (everything else)

Quality: ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

Pricing: ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

Organization: ♥ ♥ ♥

Customer service: ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

Where does money raised at this store go? Staffed by friendly volunteers, all proceeds from the store go to provide scholarships for students and to support Calvin Christian School. Items that do not sell get donated to other charities such as Goodwill, Bridging, Recycled Wardrobe and Community Closet in Eden Prairie.

Do they take credit cards? Yes!

Do they accept donations? Yep, and if you’re in the area and your load is big enough, they’ll even schedule a pick-up.

Pro tip: Get familiar with their daily specials. I like going on Wednesdays, when housewares are half-off.

Where it is: 8030 Hwy 55; Golden Valley, MN 55427

Hours: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays; 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursdays

Contact: 763.546.9820 (store); 612.296.5481 (donation hotline)

If you pay the New to You Thriftique a visit, I’d love to hear what you think.

Happy thrifting!

Meghan

first impression: ARC’s value village in new hope

Posted on December 12, 2013 by highplainsthrifter

It was the first day of last week’s cold-snap when I decided to drive over to ARC’s Value Village store in New Hope after work. I didn’t really know what to expect, except honestly, not a whole lot. I’d been underwhelmed when I last visited the store (four years ago, at least). Couple that with the fact that I’m a Richfield location die-hard, I was prepared to be unimpressed. However, after hearing about the store’s expansion and re-opening early last month, I figured it was time to give this shop another shot. And I am so glad I did!

Here’s the scoop: After 20 years in the same location, ARC’s store leadership decided to stay at their existing location and grow the store there, keeping the community of shoppers, donors and volunteers very happy. The subsequent growth is HUGE, expanding the store from 8,000 to 17,500 square feet. Every single department grew (doubling or in some cases, tripling in size!), and to make shopping even more enjoyable, aisles were widened, additional checkout lanes and fitting rooms were built, bigger carts made available and lighting improved. There’s even a donation drive-thru at the back of the building and room for a Merry Thriftmas boutique (two of my favorite features at the Richfield location). Walking in, I truly felt like I was entering a brand-new store!

Right off the bat, I was majorly impressed with how organized the departments are. In the book section, for example, all the non-fiction is organized by topic. I love buying books second-hand, but sometimes can’t commit to combing shelf after shelf after shelf, so being able to hone in on whatever section I’m interested in (typically cookbooks, travel and auto-biographies) is a big plus. I went home with Secret Ingredients: The New Yorker Book of Food and Drink and this fun travel book on Minnesota, both in mint condition!

Over in the crafts area, instead of everything in a jumble, things are separated by category in bins. So helpful for people like me who thrift for project or craft supplies on the regular!

Also impressive was the selection of framed art. It pains me when thrifts pack art tightly together on shelves, as it’s hard on the frames, but also so annoying to shop. I loved how there were a lot of pretty pieces hanging up, which makes it so much easier to appreciate. This beauty was so tempting!

Some other nice pieces…

The housewares section was spacious, but the selection was pretty slim at the time of my visit. I was looking for containers for candle-making, and I did find a couple, along with a cute little vase.

Also worth noting is the retro section, comprising a few racks of clothing and some shelves of toys, books, knick-knacks and housewares. The clothes were really picked over and some really iffy in quality, but still, nice to have it separated out, right? And how adorable is this teal Suzy Homemaker play-oven?

Breezing through the clothes, I appreciated the fact they were organized by size. Just another example of how this store is set up with shoppers in mind! The shoe section was big, with lots of options for men, women and children.

All in all, I’m super excited to add this store to my regular shopping route, especially considering how close it is to my work. Check it out at 2751 Winnetka Avenue North in New Hope. Like the three other Value Village stores in town, this store is open seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

Happy hunting!

xo,

Meghan

first impression: goodwill in st. louis park

Posted on December 3, 2013 by highplainsthrifter

It seems that lately, not a month goes by without a Goodwill grand opening happening somewhere in the Twin Cities metro. From Fridley to Roseville, Champlin to Lakeville, new stores are cropping up everywhere, with the most recent addition being a 17,600-square-foot location in St. Louis Park. Opening in mid-November, it didn’t take me long to find a reason to pop over there to take a look around.

Like all the freshly built Goodwill stores, the St. Louis Park location is big, bright and oh-so-very clean, with well-marked, neatly organized sections for men’s, women’s and children’s clothing, housewares and the like.

Though my budget for spending was slim, I spent a good hour or so poking around. The selection at this store definitely skews to the high-end side, with lots of nice labels on the racks (Ann Taylor, Adrienne Vittadini, Ralph Lauren, etc.) and quality books by the boatload. While it was a little lighter on the housewares, accessories and shoes than I expected, more than a few things that caught my eye during my visit. Here are a few of them!

A sparkling, glam ’60s maxi dress (unfortunately sized 10 sizes to small), a mint-condition Donna Hay (the Australian Martha Stewart) cookbook, a sweet-faced ceramic Mary and baby Jesus…

Lots and lots of Mara Mi for Target party goodies including garlands (pictured), printable invites, cupcake liners and toppers, photo-booth props, etc. all brand-new in the box, decent-sized sets of both Nancy Drew and Hardy Boys mysteries, a half-set of Johnson Brothers china in a floral pattern (I think it was Floral Bouquet, but I’m not certain)…

Lots of games and toys, some disposable mini loaf pans (perfect for holiday gifting!) and one of my favorite vintage Bisquick cookbooks.

Besides being well-stocked and nicely organized, I can’t wrap up this post without commenting on the incredibly kind and patient customer service I both witnessed and experienced at this shop. It staggers me how some shoppers (regulars, no less!) can be so incredibly rude, brusque and unkind to thrift-store employees. During my visit, I saw two instances of not-so-nice behavior on the part of shoppers, and in both occurrences, the employee on the receiving end maintained a helpful, positive and oh-so-very patient attitude. I can’t speak for all of the store’s 30 employees (many of them participants in career training programs), but Torrance, if your boss ever reads this, I hope she or he gives you a big pat on the back (and maybe even a raise).

The St. Louis Park Goodwill is located at 3575 State Highway 100…in layman’s terms, that’s directly behind the SLP Target off of Highway 100, right next to the LA Fitness. The store’s orientation is a little wacky, but this map may help you out. Like all area Goodwill stores, they are open seven days a week: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday.

To be the first to know about future Goodwill store openings, sign up for their weekly email newsletter!

xo,

Meghan

store review: treasures from the heart

Posted on April 1, 2013 by highplainsthrifter

Just over the Minnesota-Wisonson border in the sleepy town of Baldwin, Wisconsin, lies one gem of a thrift. Divided into two separate storefronts across the street from each other, one for clothing and accessories and the other for furniture, home decor and the like, “Treasures From the Heart,” is definitely worth the drive.

WHAT’S GOOD

♥ Linens: Holy smokes…where to start? Well for one, this place has vintage doilies coming out of its ears. And the prices on all the soft goods are great. Like $1 doilies, $2-5 for mint vintage tablecloths, $4 for sets of linen napkin/place mats, $5 for aprons, great.

♥ Vintage patterns: For the readers who’ve emailed me regarding what thrifts are best for sourcing vintage clothing patterns, I feel obligated to tell you this thrift has a slew. This is the pack that first caught my eye, but once I started digging, I found a ton more, including circle skirts, wedding dresses, etc., etc.

♥ Romance novels: No seriously! If retro rom-drams float your boat, this store has racks and racks and racks of paperbacks.

WHAT’S MEH

♥ Vintage clothes: While the clothing store does have a dedicated vintage section, it’s pretty slim pickin’s.

In a nutshell…

Selection/Variety: ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

Quality: ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

Pricing: ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

Organization: ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

Customer service: ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

Where does money raised at this store go? To support ADORAY Home Health and Hospice, an organization devoted to providing comfort at home to the acutely, chronically or terminally ill.

Do they take credit cards? Yes!

Are they on Facebook? Oh yeah.

Do they accept donations? Yep, and if you’re in the area, they’ll even schedule a pick-up.

Pro tip: Start a punch card! For every $100 you spend, you’ll get $10 back in in-store credit.

Where it is: 868 Main Street & 815 Main Street; Baldwin, Wisconsin

Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday

Contact: 715.684.2542 or 715.684.2545; adoray.org/treasures.htm

Tune in tomorrow to see what I found on my recent visit to this thrift!

xoxo,

Meghan

store review: it takes a village recycled goods store

Posted on December 31, 2012 by highplainsthrifter

Although I pass by It Takes A Village on an almost daily basis, it took me a full year-and-a-half to start frequenting it with any kind of regularity. At first I thought it was one of those fly-by-night pop-up garage sales you sometimes see in this part of town, and, after talking to the owner, I was half right. The shop did essentially start as an indoor rummage sale, but over time, it’s morphed into a full-fledged secondhand shop with a special emphasis on high-quality vintage furniture.

WHAT’S GOOD

♥ Lamps: If I was looking for some really sweet statement lamps—think amber-colored pendants, matching sets of ceramic table lamps, chandeliers— I would come hunting here. Tip: Ask to try out any secondhand lamp before buying it to make sure it works. A good store should be willing and able to accommodate you!

♥ Furniture: Every time I’ve visited this shop, I’ve been impressed with the furniture selection. From gorgeous floral sofas to 1930/1940s-era highboys (with original mirrors!) to ’50s formica dining sets, the selection is always solid. I’ve also spotted some really spectacular accent chairs, side tables, coffee tables and bedroom sets!

Price-wise, there are bargains to be had. The sofas I’ve liked have run between $50 and 80, while solid wood dressers (in fabulous condition!) are upwards of $80, which is a deal. Dining sets hover around $60 and side/coffee tables can range between $20 and $40.

WHAT’S MEH

♥ Clothes: The selection of clothing is small and underwhelming, so much so that I wish they’d devote the floor space to stocking more furniture.

♥ Records: While they’re only $1 a piece, every single album I found I wanted was in rough shape. Definitely come here for records only if you’re looking to do something cool with the album art.

Where does the money raised here go? When I asked the store owner this question, he said that as the building owner, he subsidizes a couple GLBT non-profits that operate out of the building and that he also puts some funds, as well as donates the land, for the community garden that’s next door.

Selection/Variety: ♥ ♥ ♥

Quality: ♥ ♥ ♥

Pricing: ♥ ♥ ♥

Organization:♥ ♥

Customer service: ♥ ♥ ♥

Cleanliness: ♥ ♥ ♥

Do they take credit cards? Yes, but only if you spend $25 or more.

Do they offer delivery? Yes, for $20.

Are they on Facebook? Yes, and their page is updated often with new arrivals. Also, if you check in on Facebook while you’re there, you’ll receive 10% off your purchase.

Do they accept donations? Yes!

Where it is: 3405 Chicago Ave South, Minneapolis (2nd floor)

Hours: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. seven days a week

Contact: 612.208.0647, ittakesavillagempls.org

xo,

Meghan

first impression: the salvation army family store in st. cloud

Posted on October 22, 2012 by highplainsthrifter

The first juicy honeycrisp in fall. A front-and-center spot at your favorite band’s concert. A dream job. Sometimes the best things in life are worth waiting for, and I’m adding the new Salvation Army Family Thrift Store in St. Cloud to that list. I first learned of the plans for the new store last February and have patiently been waiting for details on the opening to surface. On Saturday, at long last, the store opened and oh my goodness, she’s a beaut.

Housed in what used to be Hoye Home Furnishings, this store is mammoth. I’d even venture to guess that it’s the largest Salvation Army thrift in the greater Minnesota area. It’s practically cavernous! Here’s the view from the front of the women’s clothing section.

The racks were packed full, but not to the point that made them impossible to shop. Sections were organized nicely too, by category and then color. This rack’s always an eye-catcher when Thanksgiving’s around the corner.

The shoe racks were packed full too, but again, super organized and neat.

The back of the store housed humongous electronics (flat-screen TVS galore!), furniture, holiday decor and housewares sections, including some nicely priced antique-y stuff in glass cases. (Don’t overlook the jewelry—it’s all back there too, some in cases some on round racks.) This impractically gorgeous pink china cup and saucer set had to be mine.

I successfully resisted this set of six stainless steel mugs. They were so hefty and in mint condition—perfect for Moscow mules in the summer.

They also had a huge section of scratch-and-dent home goods, cast-offs from Target. There was a good amount of serving ware, including some really nice drink dispensers. I picked up the 12-piece Pyrex set pictured below for a song! ($11.99 to be exact; retail price hovers around $30.)

A few more quickie impressions: I have picky standards when it comes to thrift-store fitting rooms and I found the set-up here comfortable. There’s roomy, and more importantly, clean stalls, and lots of big (clean) mirrors. Also, compared to the metro-area Sal Vals, prices here were fantastic. Think $3.99 for a vintage wool skirt, $2.99 for blouses, $4.99 for boots, $6.99 for a stunning wool Fashionbilt coat from the 1960s. At first when I saw the plaid I was all like, “this is too much!,” but once I slipped it on, I was done.

All in all, I had wonderful experience and left wholly impressed with the store. I hope to post more about some of my finds soon, but this should give you an idea of how well I did. (!!!)

If you’re ever up in St. Cloud, I’d highly recommend a visit. To make your thrifting experience up there easy as pie, I gave my St. Cloud Thrifting Treasure Map a quick update, reflecting the addition of the Sal Val and noting the new (and improved!) location of the Treasure Chest. (Click View Larger Map or the link above to get the details, including hours, phone numbers and links to all my favorite stores up thatta way.)

Please check out the original post to nab links to my favorite places for a bite in St. Cloud. Because thrifting’s not nearly as fun if you’re starving, am I right?

And now it’s your turn! Did you get any shopping in over the weekend? Have you visited any new stores that’ve knocked your socks off? Either way, fill me in!

xoxo,

Meghan

store review: family pathways’ north branch used book store

Posted on April 26, 2012 by highplainsthrifter

Is there anything more fulfilling than a good, old-fashioned bookstore shopping spree? I don’t mean the “fill up the Amazon shopping cart” kind (fulfilling in an altogether different way), but the “holy shit I’ve been at this bookstore two hours, where has the time gone?” kind. I’m hard-pressed to think of anything more fun. But then I discovered Family Pathway’s Used Book Store up in North Branch. A magical place where bibliophiles like me can enjoy hours-long shopping extravaganza and barely dent their checking accounts.

WHAT’S GOOD

♥ The prices: Pricing at this store is as straight-forward as it gets: $4 for hardcovers, $3 for paperbacks, $1 for clearance corner books, 99 cents for children’s books. When I visited, a sale on all gardening, craft and cookbooks was running, knocking 20 percent off books in those genres.

♥ The organization: When I first walked into this thrift, I honestly felt like I was at a cozy, small-town library. The shelves are clutter-free and every section is clearly identified, making it incredibly easy to zero-in on the sections you’re interested in.

♥ The collectible books section: Taking up a good portion of the back of the store is a categorized assortment of vintage and antique books. I found some serious gems back there, including some home-making and cook books, which were both discounted 20 percent.

♥ The clearance corner: Tucked in the back left corner is the ample-sized clearance corner, featuring a wide variety of books, all just $1.

Where does the money raised here go? To support Family Pathways’ many varied community services, including non-medical senior services like advocacy, respite care and companionship; food pantry access for individuals and families; and support for youth and teens like mentoring programs and after-school activities at their teen centers. Family Pathways serves communities in seven counties throughout Central Minnesota and Western Wisconsin and continues to add new services based on the needs of the community.

On my last visit, I spent a total of $42 and came home with all of these books.

I’m stoked on them all…here are close-ups of a few.

Forty-three dollars people, for 14 books, about half of them vintage.

Go here to find: Books!

Selection/Variety: ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

Quality: ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

Pricing: ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

Organization:♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

Customer service: ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

Cleanliness: ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

Do they take credit cards? Yep!

One more money-saving tip: For every 10 pounds of books you donate, you’ll receive a book buck (that looks like a bookmark!) worth $1, for use that same day or on a future visit. They also give out one book buck for every $10 you spend!

While you’re there: Why not hit Recycled Wardrobes, the thrift store just a block down on Main Street? If you’re in the mood for coffee, every cup I’ve had from North Country Coffee has been super yum. (To learn more about Family Pathways’ other thrift stores, check out this post.)

Where it is: On North Branch’s main drag: 6381 Main Street, North Branch

Hours: Monday through Friday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

Contact: 651.277.0098

xxoo,

Meghan