heads up: empty the nest’s biggest sale ever

Posted on April 27, 2012 by highplainsthrifter

One of the questions I’m most often asked by blog readers, twitter followers and friends is “which thrift store has the best selection of furniture?” And most often, my recommendation is to hit up estate or garage sales. Except for this weekend….this weekend, my advice for those of you on the hunt for furniture, would be to head to Empty the Nest’s weekend-long blow-out, “the biggest sale we’ve ever had,” according to Co-owner Kris Youn. “We have the most inventory of any sale we’ve done…furniture is stacked on top of furniture up to the ceiling!” This over-abundance of stock has forced the Empty the Nest-ers to slash prices to crazy low levels. Like how low? $200 for high-end, mint condition leather couches, vintage steamer trunks for $50, end tables and stools for $20 or less. This sale has a special emphasis on seasonal items, too, so if you’re looking for vintage lawn furniture, wicker porch sets, planters, plant stands, lawn and garden accessories, etc, you’re in luck. The ephemera collector in me is super excited too about their collection of photos, paper, postcards and posters—all vintage. There truly is something for everyone at their events.

But don’t take my word for it…see for yourself!

Where: Empty The Nest ReHome Center, 1163 East Cliff Road, Burnsville
When: Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Do they take credit cards: Yes!
Pro tip: Get there early! And sign up for their mailing list, so you’re in the know about next month’s sale!

Happy hunting!

xo,

Meghan

P.S. The winner of this week’s giveaway is…..Ashley Boman!! Congrats little lady! I’ll be in touch today to grab your contact info. And of course, thank you to everyone who entered. I loved hearing about your fun summer plans. Stay tuned for another rad giveaway coming up in the next couple of weeks…

heads up: goodwill’s bridal showcase

Posted on February 22, 2012 by highplainsthrifter

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Heads up, all you lucky brides-to-be! Goodwill’s Bridal Showcase is happening this Saturday, and it promises to be a good time. Hunt through 2,000+ dresses, including some vintage and designer gowns, priced at $99 and up. (See some sneak peeks of the gowns, ranging in size from 4-22, here.) Bridesmaid and mother-of-the-bride dresses will be available, too, starting at $39. Seamstresses and cleaning pros will be hanging out, offering tips and alteration advice, and suppliers including florists, photographers and photo booth rental companies will be there too, pimping their services. Dressing rooms are communal, so wear underthings you’ll be comfortable being seen in, unless you’re cool with public nakedness, in which case, go you. The sale’s happening this Saturday, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m, over at Goodwill’s main office at 553 Fairview Ave. North in St. Paul. Good luck!

xo,

Meghan

heads up: veteran’s day sales

Posted on November 10, 2011 by highplainsthrifter

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Here’s a quick round-up of thrift-store sales happening around town this weekend!

Savers
Tomorrow only, take 50 percent off all used merchandise. Stores will be open bright and early at 7 a.m. all the way until 9 p.m.

Unique and Valu Thrift
VIP card-holders will get 50 percent off their entire purchases tomorrow. Stores will be open extra-long, from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Hidden Treasures Thrift Store
Save 30 percent on anything in the store tomorrow (10 a.m. to 7 p.m.) and Saturday (10 a.m. to 5 p.m.).

Goodwill
In celebration of their new stores in Blaine and Rogers, shoppers at either of those two locations will save 50 percent on all blue, green and yellow tagged items. (I’ve had readers tell me they’ve found some sweet vintage at the Rogers location, FYI!)

Since I have to be to work at 9 a.m., I think I’ll most likely be hitting up a single Savers and then maybe a Unique over my lunch break.

Happy shopping y’all!

xoxo,

Meghan

labor day sales roundup

Posted on September 3, 2011 by highplainsthrifter

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Hey birdies!

It feels strange wishing anyone a “happy Labor Day weekend,” considering that the holiday is basically the death knell of summer. I intend to completely ignore the fact my calendar says September, and party through this weekend like it’s the middle of June. Part of my “party” agenda, as usual, includes a good amount of thrifting. If you, too, want to take a break from mourning the end of summer and do a little thrifting, Monday’s the day to go. Here’s a to-the-point roundup of super sales, happening around town.

Goodwill
50 percent off blue, green and yellow tags, and 50 percent off all furniture. Stores will be open on Monday, 9 a.m.-6 p.m.

Savers
Take 50 percent off all clothing, shoes, accessories and items tagged “bed & bath.” Stores will be open bright and early at 7 a.m.all the way until 9 p.m.

Salvation Army Thrift Stores
All clothing will be 50 percent off on Monday, and in-store specials (like 1/2 off all books, etc.) will be announced every hour. Stores open Monday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Arc’s Value Village Thrift Stores
All merchandise (except white & orange-tagged goodies) will be 50 percent off. Sale runs Monday from 9 a.m.- 7 p.m.

Second Début
All apparel will be 25 percent off on Monday. Both the St. Paul and Excelsior stores will be open from 10 a.m.-6 p.m.

Unique
VIP card-holders will get 50 percent off their entire purchase. Stores open at 10 a.m.

Before you go, be sure to check out these pro thrifters’ top tips for surviving super sale days.

Happy shopping!

xo,

Meghan

heads up: 4th of july weekend sales

Posted on June 30, 2011 by highplainsthrifter

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Ah, the 4th of July weekend is nearly upon us. Time to dig out the sunscreen, stock up on sparklers, figure out where to watch the fireworks…and…if you’re at all like me, think about what thrift-store sales you’re going to hit up! To make your lives a little bit easier, I’m giving you a list of the best sales this weekend has to offer (and a round-up of shops that’ll be closed on Monday). Enjoy!

SATURDAY, JULY 2

♥ Savers is offering 50% off all clothing, shoes, accessories and bed and bath items. Stores will open extended hours, from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.

♥ Check out Hidden Treasures’ sale—everything’s 40% off—from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

♥ Both of Hope Chest for Breast Cancer’s Retail Stores are hooking customers up with 30% off any one item, including furniture, home decor, you name it all weekend long.

MONDAY, JULY 4

♥ Stock up on clothing at Salvation Army Family Stores—it’ll all be 50% off on Monday, including fancy new Target swag in the basement of the downtown Minneapolis store. The well-curated Oakdale Boutique is offering half-off everything in their shop, including clothing, housewares, vinyl, books, art and furniture.

♥ Go crazy at Goodwill, where from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., almost everything in store is 50% off. A list of metro-area locations is here.

♥ Unique/Valu Thrifts are offering shoppers half-off from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Since Unique’s prices are on the high end to start with, Monday will be a great day to pick up items you’ve been eying.

Thrifts that will be closed on Monday: ARC Value Village, Bethesda Thrift Shop, Animal Ark Thrift Store, East Side Thrift Store, The Lost & Found, Assistance League Thrift Shop, St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Stores, Hope Chest for Breast Cancer Retail Stores, Family Pathways Thrift Stores and Bibles for Missions (closed Saturday, Sunday AND Monday).

I’ll be back tomorrow with some pro tips for surviving the super busy sale days. I got great advice from some boss thrifters…I can’t wait to share with y’all!

xo,

Meghan

heads up: mighty swell sidewalk & rummage sale!

Posted on June 10, 2011 by highplainsthrifter

Hi dolls!

One of my tip-top favorite things about Mighty Swell‘s storefront space is our ‘hood. Neighbors stopping in to say “hi” while I’m putzing around the store, knowing the man at the family run hardware store on a first-name basis, having a regular order at the hot dog shop next door—these small interactions in our nook of the community make my heart sing. So, when we learned about the Standish, Ericsson & Corcoran Neighborhood Garage Sale (the largest in the city!) we knew we just had to be a part! So, we’re having a sidewalk sale, TOMORROW from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.!

Rae and I have marked down a hefty amount of vintage merchandise, and we’ve also pillaged through our closets, garages, attics and basements, unearthing all kinds of fun stuff. And everything outside will be priced to GO. After all, we’ve got to make a little room for all the pretty stuff we’ve found for our upcoming summer sale right? (Details on that coming soon, promise!)

Anyway, if you are in the area and want to experience summer bargain hunting at its finest, I highly suggest checking this event out! You can pick up sale maps starting at 8:45 a.m. at the following locations:

Angry Catfish Coffee / 4208 28th Avenue South
Midtown Farmers’ Market / Lake Street & 22nd Avenue
Caribou Coffee / 4745 Cedar Avenue South (Cedar & Minnehaha)
Holiday Station Store / 3550 Cedar Avenue South

And don’t forget to highlight Mighty Swell Vintage when you’re circling the sales you want to hit—we’re at 3109 East 42nd Street. (Or just look for the cute teal open sign, a bunch of balloons and a sidewalk full of stuff!!)

See you there, rain or shine!

xo,

Meghan

heads up: hope chest’s “blast from the past” vintage sale

Posted on March 1, 2011 by highplainsthrifter

{Halston and Anita Colby}

Heads up local vintage lovers! This Saturday, out in Orono, the Hope Chest for Breast Cancer shop is having a “Blast From the Past” vintage sale and I don’t think you’ll want to miss it. Why? Well, for starters, the lovely folks at Hope Chest have been collecting vintage for 1.5 years in anticipation of this event. We’re talking about hundreds of pieces! Hundreds! After being gifted several estates worth of designer vintage, including duds rocked by Mary Dayton herself, the nonprofit is ready to unload them ALL. According to store manager Beth McDonald, some stand-out pieces for sale include a red, lounge-ready kaftan by Halston (Halston, people!), some beautiful Missoni knits and a Geoffrey Beene ball gown from the mid-’70s that, when it was donated, still had opera tickets from 1976 in the pocket. And since we’re dropping designer names, here are a few more: Ralph Lauren, St. John Knit, YSL, Bill Blass. The sale will also have a section of “vintage look” pieces, if that sort of thing floats your boat.

The action’s happening this Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at 3850 Shoreline Drive S. (Co. Rd. 15) in Orono/Navarre. All proceeds raised at Hope Chest stores support the nonprofit’s mission of providing financial assistance to underserved breast cancer patients and their families, helping them cover essentials like mammograms, rides to chemo, nutritious meals, utility bills, rent, hospice and much more. Get there early to get first dibs!

xo,

Meghan

heads up: goodwill’s bridal showcase

Posted on February 17, 2011 by highplainsthrifter

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Heads up, all you lucky brides-to-be! Goodwill’s Bridal Showcase is happening this weekend, and it promises to be a good time. Hunt through 2,000+ dresses, including some vintage and designer pretties, priced at $99 and up. (See some sneak peeks here.) Seamstresses and cleaning pros will be on hand to give you tips, and suppliers including florists, photographers and photo booth rental companies will be there too, pimping their services. Dressing rooms are communal, so wear underthings you’ll be comfortable being seen in, unless you’re cool with public nakedness, in which case, more power to ya.

You can pay $25 to get first crack tomorrow, Friday, between 6-9 p.m. or wait until Saturday, when the sale’s open to the public from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The action’s happening over in St. Paul at 553 Fairview Ave. North.

xo,

Meghan

pssst!

Posted on November 13, 2010 by highplainsthrifter

Psst! Did y’all know that you our local Salvation Army thrifts have an e-newsletter? Well, they do. And if you sign up to get it, you’ll be the first to know about new store openings, changes in hours and upcoming sale events. The icing on the cake? Most dispatches also come with a 25% off coupon! Lah-dee-dah!

All you have to do is enter your email, name and zip code.