ok- new #1 rule for thrifting road trips - Do some research about the area as well as the thrifts before you head out. We very inadverdantly went to Ann Arbor (FYI- University of Michigan runs through most of the city) on a 91 degree Saturday that was also U of M's first home football game, college move in week and from the looks of it Greek Rush week. The shops were empty of people but the streets were insane and parking was literally non-existant, many lots were closed except for paid parking for the game. Poor planning on my part there.
We went through quite a few TSs, plus a few random church and temple sales and garage sales for good measure. I will post more specific notes about individual shops in the directory. We did actually find parking and made it into the Zen Buddist Temple's Green/recycled yard sale. I guess they pick up the furniture and stuff that the college kids dump at the end of the school year and fix it up to sell back to the next round of kids come fall. We weren't up for furniture, but I did leave with a box of fabric to hopefully make stuffed animals with.
Overall, I did come away with the impression that the TSs up there are very good places for finding high end labels, electronics and art of all kinds. Paintings, prints, etc... are nearly impossible to find in Toledo unless you are loooking for sun faded "country" prints or plastic framed 90201 posters. I was in heaven at these shops and had to restrain myself from filling the car with pictures. Some of the places had special rooms for the art! I picked up a framed opera poster, some kitchy bird and monkey and fruit wall plaques, and a suitably gaudy "home painted" picture of blue daisies on a glowing yellow background.
Almost all of the TSs had high end women's accessories, even the St. Vinnie's had a shelf of Coach bags behind the counter. I got one bag for myself at $25 and one for my Mom at $9.99. The Value World had Coach and Prada bags and Prada and other designer shoes. The prices were not boutique either. There was a Bagdley Michska gown for $8.40! Alas, it is still there because I do not know anyone over the age of 10 that is a size 1. (I know I should have bought it and eBayed it - I'm going to have to get into that one of these days) I was looking for a nice cheap large silk/satin women's scarf. That was not going to happen in Ann Arbor. Every store that had scarves knew exactly waht they had and what they could sell for. Even the shops that had clothes at $1 a piece had the scarves starting at $3 and going up as high as they could. I think it must have something to do with the fact that it is a very culturally diverse area and they are in high demand for everyday wear.
We managed to find some of the glasses that my father designed for my collection, a playboy glass and a Red Lobster lighthouse.
I'm sure that my huband (rovingmind) has been talking about the stereos and electronics on another thread, so I will let that rest with him.
But, if you ever pass through that area, please do not miss the Kiwina's Saturday AM sale. It is honestly, hands down the most amazing thrifting that I have done. It is, I think 4 levels, packed solid with very nice things. Art, records, clothes, tools, furniture, bikes, household items, linens..... things!There are people working in every department that know what they have and are very very nice. The PTO shop is large and has a nice selection too.
OK- I'll quite down now and hopefully get to posting in the directory.
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