Thrift stores / flea markets/resale shops

Cabana Girl in Gallows Bay.

Thank you.

Cabana Girl is mostly women's clothes and shoes, a few men's things. Uniquites in Peter's Rest is a great little consignment shop for furniture and house wares.

would like to see a high end thrift shop. the animal shelter is ok for books and some "finds" but i get closterphobic in there.

if i am "looking" i prefer women's coal. more room in there.

but the animal shelter is for a very good cause.

i think the cabana girl is way to high. can almost buy new with some of the prices in that place.

I will definitely check out Uniquities I need a few household items. I love digging through the animal shelter flea market.

Hi-
I have a few ?'s about the whole thrift shop deal. I have a large inventory of very kitschy housewares that I sell on consignment here in the States. I've wondered a few times if there is any market for that kind of store down here? Obviously the prices are not in the thrift store range, but these are hard to find very kitschy items and I stress kitschy. I wouldn't be going sky high with prices, but like 100.00 for a late 40's funky Chinese lamp. Am I spinning my wheels or would that be doable? I specialize in 40's and 50's house goods. I would love any in-put!
Thanks, Lou

In my very uninformed opinion these kind of items would be a hard sell. Between mold and rust, it is very difficult to keep ordinary, utilitarian items in working order. But I could be way off. Hope you get some other opinions.

Rare Finds in Gallows Bay.

loukosch: I would tend to agree with LindaJ. As a former antique picker and auctioneer (see my website) I would think that such a store would be a tough go. Things rust, or mildew, or mold, or rot and don't last too long. Rentals tend to be completely furnished so used furniture/household goods wouldn't sell too well. A consignment store for those people leaving the island would be a great idea. Hmm. might even look into that myself!

Sounds like ideas to create a Swap Meet!

Thanks everyone for the feed back, it was basically what I expected to hear. I am moving back to STJ in a week and the last time around I was desperate for things to make that rental unit a little more my own. The only place I found was that place by the ferry in Red Hook, which was over the top in pricing. I just hoped there might be a market for something like that. Again, many thanks- Lou

Hi Lou,
I don't think it was ever mentioned in the thread, but we're all on St. Croix. BTW, I keep meaning to google the word kitschy. I'm not familiar with that term. Is it eclectic, artsy, deco-ish type things? Actually.....I'll google it now!:-)

Well, my stab at a definition was certainly more flattering than wikipedia and other sites. I have to say, just one person's opinion, I don't really see a market for it here. I could see vintage, high end, for sure, but not what I found when I googled the word. A great spot for thrift store items is Collette's store on Company Street (can't remember the name, but it just past the church and before you get to the right turn at Time Square). I had forgotten about her because it's almost impossible to find her open.

To me, "kitschy" means collections of salt & pepper shakers, crocheted covers for toasters, even grama's antique iron door stop. The kind of things that sit around and you have to dust!! Those kinds of things are difficult to maintain in this climate and you don't see them too much.

I had a house full of kitschy and funky items. I chose to leave them in states in fear of the elements destroying them. I would be devastated if I lost all the fun stuff I have been collecting for years.