Team Recovery opens a thrift store in Springfield.

[CS Foltz]

Your probably right big guy! I was think more along the lines of a trailer full of goats, with the intent to start a farm! Think that would get someones attention?

[uptowngirl]

Hey have ya'll changed your inventory up some? Inventory that included nick knacks, old lighting, chairs, etc would be great and I think would sell here....old clothes not so much, some cool retro stuff would hop off the shelves, and select cool retro/vintage clothing would rock. We had a place like that in DT Minneapolis and it was a hot spot, all itmes were donated or found, or made with found objects.... THAT would certainly add to the neighborhood - a destination place, and making furniture and art out of found/donated items would also be great for all the guys, I know ya'll have some skilled clients....

[sheclown]

Our inventory changes constantly.  For a while we had some extremely expensive women's shoes, but since we sell all shoes for $5.00 -- they were scarfed up pretty quickly.

We have origami pieces made by Mrs. Yang (the Chinese restaurant up the street).  She is very talented.  We had art pieces made by a man, one of which is entitled "Berkman".  (He was working in the garage when it collapsed).  We had a chair entitled "Autumn blooms in Springfield", a chair/art made by Simone, a local artist.  We have vintage records, oriental clothing, NASCAR stuff, books, but mostly clothing.  Tons of women's jeans.  Sometimes we get exotic dancer wear which puts a little bling into the store

All of our inventory is donated, so we get what we get and appreciate all of it. 

[uptowngirl]

I'll have to come and check it out, I am looking for some old chairs right now, I was going to hit some stores over in Riverside and Murray Hill, but I will try your place first.

[ChriswUfGator]

I'll have to come and check it out, I am looking for some old chairs right now, I was going to hit some stores over in Riverside and Murray Hill, but I will try your place first.

It's tough to find good chairs, but JAX is kind of a treasure trove on that. Sometimes you run across shaker stuff, and I saw an old wheatback in that antique mall on Park in 5 points awhile back. If you're into the retro 1950s stuff, you will find a lot to your liking around here. Downtown has been a ghost town for so long a lot of those old office buildings have been empty for 30-40 years, and they get cleaned out or torn down, and the stuff left over inside then shows up on the market around here for cheap. Happy hunting!

[uptowngirl]

Thanks for the tips! Some of the retro 50's stuff is great, a little refinishing, a little recovering and you have a fabulous chair for under $100.... can't even buy cheap made in gautamala chair at Target for that, recycling at its best (no ! as to not offend sensibilities LOL)

[sheclown]

We have these regular people who come in and look to see if we've gotten in anything valuable -- one guy comes in and looks at our costume jewelry in case something of value has landed in there (really, we would never know).  Others have specific things in mind.  It is kind of fun to watch them.  They don't speak much, are very serious, and leave.  I think there are quite of few people who "hunt" stuff this way.  That is one benefit of a donation-only thrift store.  Some thrift store buy lots from the Salvation Army or other places -- which we considered doing.  But we get so much in the way of donations, we haven't felt the need to.  Consequently we have less control over what we get, but many more surprises as the donations have not been picked over first!

It's a live and learn deal.  And it is a lot of fun.

[Springfielder]

I know just what you mean and I do some hunting too. In fact I had found a wonderful antique set of candle holders that were shaped like trumpets, in 3 sizes...which were clearly a set, but were located amidst the wide array of stuff on tables at Goodwill. I bought them for a few bucks, cleaned and polished them and they looked beautiful. I ended up giving them to a friend, and they adore them.

So you really have to be watchful when thrift store hoping, there are indeed, gems to be found.

[sheclown]

Last week a kind and generous soul donated a turn-table and speakers to the thrift store which we haven't had (and probably won't have) the heart to sell.  I dug out some of my old albums that I haven't been able to listen to for decades. 

I really never realized how whinny Neil Young was.  Geez. 

But, I gotta tell ya...Mountain's Mississippi Queen has got to be the BEST rock song of all time.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KszD_MfB798

If you come to the store, I'll play it for you, but I won't sell it.

[sheclown]

Is there anywhere local that sells vintage albums? 

I adore the "imperfect" sound of an LP -- I hadn't realized what's been missing all these years -- it's those little echos and ticks. 

Sort of like the difference between eating mom's soup and Campbells.

[Livein32206]

I don't know if the music shop on McDuff at Edison still does or not...of if it's even still open. I can't recall the name, but it's been there for years and could get older stuff...worth a ride over to check it out.

[sheclown]

just...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gcPdzsL0kMQ&feature=related

[CS Foltz]

Well they do have something for everyone there! Stores of that type are needed and just where the "Team Recovery Thrift Store" resides...............Go Team!

[sheclown]

CS you are very encouraging.  All players are on board for flop house dogs.  We have site control.  Now we need to get in touch with the owners of the old subway car. 

[CS Foltz]

Thats one option sheclown...........another might be to contact "Ock" to see if there are other options available! If there is something out there in this region, more than likely he would have a line on it or other options!