Thrifty Lunch Time Adventures
Posted by Leenda on April 12, 2010
I have lived in Leesburg for two and a half years now. In that time, I became vaguely aware that Leesburg has its fair share of Antique shops and then some, and it is quite the destination for wealthy Washingtonians on nice weekends in the Spring, Summer, and Fall. However, until a week or so ago, it never occurred to me to track down any possible thrift shops in the area. Or if it did, I guess I just assumed that the “pickins” would be slim due to the many antique shops. I just assumed that the local antique shop owners would ascend on any thrift shops like vultures every time they suspected there were any worthy goods to be had, leaving nothing but ragged clothing and beaten up shoes for the rest of us.
Thus you can imagine my surprise when I discovered that Leesburg does indeed have a thriving thrift shop. In fact it has five. Yes you read that right. FIVE thrift shops. There’s the Capital Hospice Thrift Shop (proceeds go to benefit hospice care), the Blossm and Bloom Thrift shop (I can’t remember where those proceeds go, but again it is 100% charitable), the Resourceful Woman Thrift shop (proceeds support a local battered women’s shelter), Twice is Nice (again, I can’t remember which charity the proceeds go to), and finally the old standby Salvation Army Thrift shop. Since I discovered this treasure trove of thriftiness I have visited all five stores at least once, most of them twice, during lunch breaks or on the weekend.
Since I am currently embarked on a mission to make my house a home (after 2.5 years it’s about time!), I figured there was no better way to do this than by thrifting, especially since my tastes run toward vintage items anyway. Of course, living in Leesburg I have a plethora of fancy schmancy boutiques and, again, antique stores, to choose from. But since I can get literally the same items at a thrift store for 2-3 dollars that I would pay anywhere from 18-25 for at an antique store, I will stick to thrifting, thank you very much.
Some of my many recent finds include: Vintage shutters ($3.00 each); Cast aluminum scroll-y grape themed book/platter stand (either 4 or 5 dollars; I can’t remember which); two wire wine carriers ($4.00 for the double carrier and $2.50 for a single); a terracotta wine cooler ($4.00); some vintage decorative plates (ranging from $1.00-$3.00), a vintage Swiss warmer (like a chafing stand) for $3.00; and my favorite: a vintage valet suit stand for $8.00. I want to paint it white and distress it but my roommate threatened me with death if I did, so I guess I’ll have to leave it wood colored, at least for now.
I hope this proves to anyone who’s obsessed with fancy schmancy that if you’re willing to be diligent and intelligent about it, you can get some fancy schmancy stuff at some pretty thrifty prices.
