Well, I'm finally making it back to this little blog space. I've been down and out with a cold for a week straight now, and haven't hardly had any energy to share anything here. I've been meaning to write about my visit a few weeks ago to the Economy Shop in Oak Park - what a fabulous surprise that was! The Economy Shop began as a thrift store for the benefit of local charities in 1919; it has been operating at its present location since 1924. I have never really seen anything like it - basically, it's a thrift department store. That's right - A THRIFT DEPARTMENT STORE. With fifteen departments spanning three floors, and plenty of Christmas knickknacks to boot, I was in heaven.
Everything is neatly organized, clean, and easy to sort through - they even had a CRAFT SUPPLIES ROOM! Look at this little tree I got for 80 cents! Also notice the little reindeer underneath. I plan on covering them with Martha Stewart glitter I bought with a coupon the other day (YAY! Martha glitter - I have to tell you I've been pining for it for months!)
I also got some little blue ornaments for pennies, and two small casserole dishes. Then I found a set of old fashioned Christmas lights which were 50 cents a strand plus 10 cents for each replacement bulb. I was able to test them there, and I must have fiddled with these for twenty minutes or so, screwing in different bulbs until I had the whole strand lit. Then when I got home they worked for about three minutes before the fuse blew. Hopefully I can just put in another and get it up and running, although I might have unknowingly put in some bulbs that were to high of voltage or wattage or ampage or whatever. Troubleshooting to come I guess.
If you are in the Chicagoland area, and would like to visit the Economy Shop, they are open Saturdays and Thursdays,
Here is the link to their website for more information.
In other news, I've been collecting a lot of little things for Christmas crafts, and I'm fearful I'll never have the
energy time to make anything!
Linking up with
Apron Thrift Girl...
Great finds ... great post! I'll have to make it to Chicago just go to the Economy Shop ... sounds fabulous! Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteHope you are feeling better.
ReplyDeletewhen I lived in that area the only thrift shop I visited was LambsFarm (not really close, I know) or the touristy villages west. Now that I am back in WI I hear about great thrifty places I need to get back and check out.