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Thift stores shopping
 Hunting
for secondhand stuff has been a popular pastime for decades.
Its popularity has ballooned recently, due in no small part
to the trinket-to-treasure tales recounted weekly on the
PBS program "Antiques Road Show" and its many copycats.
The odds of cheesy bric-a-brac bringing in big bucks is
akin to winning the lottery. But like the lottery, that
slim hope keeps many people hooked.
Even if you don't find a doodad worth big dough, shopping
secondhand can save you money. Wouldn't you rather pay 95¢
for a perfect pinstriped shirt from Eddie Bauer, than the
$39.95 catalog price? For some, the thrill isn't in the
bargains, but in rifling through generations of junk, waxing
nostalgic about Wacky Packages, or discovering that our
forebearers' feet were lilliputian, based on their shoes.
And of course there are the environmental benefits of re-using.
Until fall, secondhanders could get their fill of tchochkes
at dozens of rummage sales. From the stately homes of Whitefish
Bay to manicured bungalows of Cudahy, everyone had yards
of precious property they wanted to liquidate into cash.
Now that the weather has turned nasty, the amateurs will
sit on their hands till spring. But the savvy junk hounds
will high-tail it to the city's numerous thrift stores in
search of that "ultimate find" or maybe just a chuckle.
Here are some tips:
Mr. and Mrs. Cleans. Although thrift stores are making
great strides toward improved merchandise displays, window
dressings and overall cleanliness, many are far from immaculate.
If you have disaffection for dust, bits of crud or unpleasant
smells, thrifting may not be for you. To combat the dirt,
pack some handi-wipes and hand lotion.
Don't wear your Sunday best. First, you don't want to get
the aforementioned crud on your clothes. In an opposite
world to department stores, you will also likely get treated
better by the staff, get the scoop on upcoming sales, etc.
Leave your friend at home. He or she will just slow you
down. You'll also avoid arguments if you don't both simultaneously
dive for that great '50s double-helix lamp shade.
 Organization.
Clothes are usually organized by color and/or type. Some
stores have special sections for extra large clothing, maternity
and the like. Furniture is often in the basement or the
back of the store.
Pricing -- it's a mystery. Most stores have daily or monthly
sales based on the type of item (e.g. jackets) or the color
of the price tag. The signs near the register tell you what
is on sale that day but sometimes deciphering them isn't
worth the effort unless its a big ticket item such as furniture.
When you're ready to pay, estimate the price of all your
items based on the tags and the signs, and then smile happily
when the cashier gives you change.
Paying. Bring cash. Some stores take checks or credit cards
(such as Salvation Army stores), but most do not.
Check out. Bring your patience and good manners. The actual
checkout process can also be slow because of the previously
mentioned sign confusion, language differences between customers
and employees, older cash registers and even older patrons.
Come Again. Be prepared to revisit stores several times
before you find a "treasure." As a sign at the North Avenue
Value Village advises: "We will have what you need -- eventually.
We just don't know when."
THRIFT STORES
Here is a list of some thrift stores in the Milwaukee area.
The larger chains have regular hours, while those operated
by churches, Junior Leagues, etc. have much more limited
hours. The church-sponsored stores usually hold a blockbuster
rummage sale during the year as well.
 Salvation
Army
2170 N. Prospect Ave.
2264 S. Kinnickinnic Ave.
1725 S. 13th St.
6000 W. Silver Spring Dr.
7711 W. Greenfield Ave.
4747 W. Bradley Rd.
Goodwill
6055 N. 91st St.
5675 S. 27th St.
11000 W. Oklahoma Ave.
St. Vincent DePaul (aka St. Vinny)
1862 Fond du Lac Ave.
7125 W. Greenfield Ave.
2320 W. Lincoln Ave.
Value Village
324 W. North Ave
324 W. North Ave.
729 S. Layton Blvd.
3100 E. Layton Ave.
Cash only, Closed Sundays. Not huge, but good selection
of new and vintage clothes organized by type. Not much for
knicknacks, a basement full of well-priced furniture. Sales
include half-price clothing.
Disabled American Veterans
1730 S. 13th St.
2430 N. Murray Ave.
7632 W. Hampton Ave.
American Council of the Blind
109 W. Wilbur Ave.
Thrift Mart
A former Kohl's food store, the National Avenue location
was better when it was a Vietnam Vets thrift, but interesting
merchandise can still be found. The usual color tag specials
of the day; it's well organized. Clothes, household goods.
Not much jewelry or furniture. Handy ATM inside.
7619 W. National Ave.
10220 W. Silver Spring Dr.
St. Jude the Apostle
734 Glenview Ave.
St. Mark's Episcopal Church
2618 N. Hackett Ave.
St. Mary's Thrift Shop
13000 Watertown Plank Rd., Elm Grove
St. Paul's Thrift Shop
1324 N. Marshall St.
St. Sebastian's
1725 N. 54th St.
RESALE SHOPS
There are also many for-profit resale shops (also called
consignment stores or secondhand shops) which offer newer
merchandise or specialize in vintage ware. The merchandise
is often pricier than thrift stores.
 The
Yellow Jacket
2225 N. Humboldt Ave.
Excellent clothes from the 1950s to '80s.
Brides II Be
4518 W. Forest Home Ave.
Great deals on pre-worn wedding apparel.
Clothes Caddy
2127 E. Capitol Dr.
Merchandise would appeal to those who dress conservatively.
East Town Women's Resale Shop
159 N. Broadway (Third Ward)
Good selection of women's clothes, some menswear, shoes
and accessories. Friendly staff and lots of designer merchandise.
For Mom & Me Maternity & Kids Resale
7206 W. Greenfield Ave.
The name says it all, clothing, furniture and more for the
younger folk. Also check out Playroom Closet, 13470 W. Greenfield
Ave. and Play It Again, 6144 N. Port Washington Rd.
Pennywise Shop, Junior League of Milwaukee
626 N. Broadway
A lot of career wear (blazers and skirts) and sweaters.
Some men's and children's clothing.
Queen's Closet
7343 W. Greenfield Ave.
Look for sizes 14 and up at this plus-size resale shop.
Marlene's Touch of Class
249 N. Water St.
Staffed by oddballs and wildly overpriced (although actual
prices are usually about half of what is marked), people
keep coming to this Milwaukee institution in droves because
it has the largest selection of vintage clothing in town.
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