I am so sad. All of the Volunteers of America Thrift stores in Upstate NY will be closing by the end of September.
I got the email yesterday.
Today I had to go to get what I could because they are not accepting anymore donations. What is there is all there is and will be. Kinda like the first day of a garage or estate sale. You have to get first picks! You know what I mean if you are a thrifter.
I would say I did pretty good.
The prize, to me, is the printers drawer. Something I have been wanting forever although I don't have anywhere in my home to display it. I am keeping it for awhile and savoring the fact that I got it for $4!
The drawer pull has Hamilton on it, number 183.
I got the email yesterday.
Today I had to go to get what I could because they are not accepting anymore donations. What is there is all there is and will be. Kinda like the first day of a garage or estate sale. You have to get first picks! You know what I mean if you are a thrifter.
I would say I did pretty good.
The prize, to me, is the printers drawer. Something I have been wanting forever although I don't have anywhere in my home to display it. I am keeping it for awhile and savoring the fact that I got it for $4!
The drawer pull has Hamilton on it, number 183.
The first thing that caught my eye was the cute owl pitcher. Dark chocolate brown and unique.
The planter with the Scottish Terrier's is a McCoy. Some vintage items are chipped and not anywhere near perfect but so worth picking up anyways. This one has an ear missing on the far right doggy with a big chip behind it. Hey, a nice fluffy plant will hide all that. I thought it was so special!
The two nesting bowls are Hall's Superior Autumn Leaf pattern. They are great sizes and remind me of my early days of collecting. I inherited an Autumn Leaf ball shaped pitcher from my aunt. I've since sold it.
The pie plate is also reminiscent of my early collecting days as I had one just like it with a cherry top. It is ceramic and was available to glaze and paint at the many ceramic classes available in the 80's.
Oh, the deer! I just gravitate to anything deer and this one is so special. It is sparkly and I think it is made of paper mache. That would explain how light it was when I picked it up, thinking it was a cheapy $1 store item. To my surprise there is a gold sticker with Made in Taiwan on the bottom.
Sometimes I am not sure there is a market for some items I pick up. The Hallmark Grandparent's photo album is marked 1984 and it is old style with large pages with plastic coverings. I am hoping not everyone uses Instagram or their phones to store photos, and like me, like physical photos to look at in unique albums! The little folk art pail is so cute and very rusty, dented, and full of charm.
This framed picture caught my eye for it's unique subject and black and white photo. I will have to research it to find out exactly what is going on in it!
The frame was worth the buy. It is wood and very old looking.
I am so sad that my favorite thrift stores are closing! Declining sales is the reason. I did get to use all my rewards points, my senior discount and my tax exempt status on this sale so I did very well. There are three other VOA's in my area that I have to get to before all the good stuff is gone.
I've got garage and yard sales to pick for the summer but where will I pick all winter? I have to find some new places to feed my addiction, I mean, love for vintage.
In the meantime, I will be busy listing all these great finds in my Etsy shop.
Do you have a favorite, go-to thrift store?
AnnMarie xoxo
I am linking up with these fun blog parties:
Wow! You got some great stuff! Sorry to hear the stores are closing though...sad! The printer's tray is amazing! I am hoping to luck up on one myself someday! Enjoy your new treasures and good luck at the other stores.
ReplyDeleteI did read about that in this morning's paper. Sad. Do you visit the Goodwill stores? You did get a good haul this morning. I miss seeing your blog on the castteam blog blitz. I know that thread doesn't get readers or comments. I don't know what to do about that. It's down to just myself and another teammate who post regularly. :(
ReplyDeleteJust about to get mine up.
every time i find a good thrift shop , it shuts and turns into a glossy mall type experiance with prices to match
ReplyDeleteThat is so sad that they are closing, but you made the most of it and that printers drawer for that price!! Seriously, I was just shopping at an antique mall in downtown Ft. Worth yesterday and saw one for $35.00-you did sooo good. I like the deer too, very charming.
ReplyDeleteHave a lovely day!!
Hugs,
Jemma
Oh no, I am so sorry to hear your favorite thrift store is closing :( It looks like you definitely made the most of their closing sale....you found some amazing items, AnnMarie. Thanks for taking the time to link up with Roses of Inspiration. Enjoy your afternoon. Hugs!
ReplyDeleteI do hate to hear that. It just kills me when one of my favorite stores closes. :-( You were able to get some great treasures though. I'm with you - the printer's drawer is awesome! If you decide you don't want it, you can ship it this way! :-)
ReplyDeleteNice haul! You really got a great deal on the printer's tray.
ReplyDeleteI had one I hung and put miniatures in for years, then when I moved several years ago I never rehung it, so gave to daughter.
Enjoy your evening.
Oh no! I've missed out! I will be up in July and by then all the good stuff will be gone!
ReplyDeleteYou found some great stuff! I love the folk art bucket and Scotty Dog planter! I have a printer's tray but haven't figured out a use for it yet - I guess I need to look at Pinterest for some ideas. Too bad about the thrift stores closing. I go to Goodwill and The Salvation Army for good finds, but even they are getting expensive! Hope you are having a good week. xo Karen
ReplyDeleteWhat a bummer! I don't know what I'd do if my favourite thrift store closed. It's one of the best in my whole area, and I'd really miss it... so I can totally relate. That printer's tray is fabulous and what a great deal, and I love the folk art pail.
ReplyDeleteOh, no, I would dry up and wither away if my thrift stores closed. Ours are having trouble with the lack of donations. Of course part of the problem is they refuse vintage items. They would not have accepted anything you bought and I would love to have.
ReplyDeleteit is always sad when our favorite shops have to close down, not only for ourselves but the poor people that will be losing their jobs. Great finds, I have one of those printer trays and I have it hung on the wall to display my thimble collection. Good luck finding a new place to get goodies from.
ReplyDeleteOh no, closing? How could the sales be declining? I did hear that so many "things" will be hitting the market for the next decade or so as the "Baby Boomers" start to part with their homes and start downsizing or going into nursing homes. Sad to think about but maybe the market could get saturated and prices will drop. Good for collectors!
ReplyDeleteI feel your pain. My favorite store closed last year. It was the best deals and closest. Plus the ladies were so nice and friendly. So sad to see the store close.
ReplyDeleteI am a baby boomer & am getting rid of stuff rather than bringing in any more. I have collected for 30+ years. Is that why sales are declining? The donations coming into VOA will have to go somewhere else. I donate to a small church sponsored thrift store that benefits people struggling in my area. It's easier to give up things I hate parting with to them. You found great things!
ReplyDeleteIt's scary when vintage stores have declining sales! But you snagged some goodies!
ReplyDeleteHi AnnMarie, so sorry to hear your favorite thrift shop is closing. I have seen a few go here and I still miss those spots I used to visit often. You sure found some wonderful treasures. Wishing you a nice evening. Hugs, cm
ReplyDeleteSad that you aren't going to have your favorite thrift store for finds. We have some good ones here, but I'm trying to let go of things myself. I've taken loads of things to several over the past year. ;-)
ReplyDeleteGood luck!
Sorry to hear your thrift store is closing...I hate it when that happens. Our local Goodwill closed a few years ago, so I know how you feel. You did find some wonderful things though. I love those old printers trays--I use them in the studio to organize jewelry parts and buttons. The black and white photograph is pretty, too.
ReplyDeleteIt's a shame that the store is closing. I love the printer's tray and you got a great deal!
ReplyDeleteYou did very well. There are always new stores popping up.
ReplyDeleteOH say it's NOT SO!! I'm liking the trash can the best. I'm like Sarah and trying to cut down on purchases but somethings I just can't pass up.
ReplyDeleteAnn
You certainly did do well! I love the printers drawer as that is on my list of things to find also, but I never would think to find it at that price. What a steal!
ReplyDeleteWhat a shame that another store is closing. Good to see that you were able to get over there and pick through what they had left. Love that printers tray, and what a bargain too. Cute pail, I would have grabbed that too. Thanks for sharing at Vintage Inspiration Party.
ReplyDeleteIt is so sad when you lose your favorite thrift store! Mine is a local Goodwill and I am hoping that never happens. I go there often and find many nice things. Thank you for you nice comment on Flora Doora today! I enjoyed reading your blog!
ReplyDeleteoh dear! It is hard to imagine that they are closing! And that declining sales are the reason! Seems a new consignment shop pops up in my town every month. Although I have heard that since the Goodwill opened a few years ago it is harder for the Thrift stores to get "good stuff" it all goes to the Goodwill instead. It is always so sad when a favorite shop closes though. I am envious of your printers tray. Love those and haven't seen them around much in the last few years.
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry to hear about this place that I have heard about it 'almost' all my adult life. You got ALL amazing treasures! I am from NY originally, you know. That happened here in my neck of the woods too; a home goods kind of store closed it's doors 10 years ago and I still miss it to this day.
ReplyDeleteYou and I wish things so hard that somehow vibrations conspire all around us so we can find just what we were looking for, as you with the lovely shandy. I've had a couple of experiences like that. I wished for a red transferware teaset with teacups that was sold to someone when I fell in love with it. Then almost 3 days ago I find just such a teaset with 12 teacups, saucers and cake plates!!! Lol..
Have a great weekend ahead my friend.
FABBY
It's always sad when a favorite haunt closes. I'm glad you where still able to get some great treasures.
ReplyDeleteAlso, thank you for stopping by my blog and checking out my post on Donna. And, thank you for leaving a nice comment. I am following your blog now and will be back again soon.
hugs
Sissie
The printer's drawer is awesome! Great find! Too bad about the store. :(
ReplyDeleteHi AnnMarie, I'm sorry your thrift stores are closing, but you did well for your final bow! Love that printer's drawer (and your comment that you have nowhere to put it, lol). That McCoy planter is unique - I've never seen one like it, but the scottie dog was popularized after FDR so I bet it's super old. My Panoply sisters and I participated in a community yard sale in May, and we had several people ask us if we had photo albums, so there still must be those who want them. Congrats on your feature on Dagmar's blog!
ReplyDeleteRita
So sorry to hear that they are closing Ann Marie! That printers drawer is a fabulous deal! I love the Halls bowls. I have a couple of pieces in that design. Hope you find another fabulous store! Thanks for sharing with SYC.
ReplyDeletehugs,
Jann