Saturday, December 27, 2008

New Image Thrift Store (a.k.a. The Blind Store)






3 out of 5 stars

Pros: Half-price day about once a month, usually tied to some holiday. A portion of proceeds go to Missouri Council of the Blind (8%. It goes to pay for camp and some other stuff). Usually have a good selection of furniture. Coupons out there.
Cons:
Strong smell, items tend to be overpriced.

Hours & Location: Monday through Saturday 8 am - 9 pm
1445 W. Kearney, Springfield, MO 65803

This used to be one of my very favorite places to go for unexpected deals and quirky items. Everything was priced to move, and monthly half-off days (which included everything) were great fun. Once, I found a bag full of new, unopened rectal thermometers for 2 bucks. The packaging looked to be from the early 60s. The most over-the-top kitschy knick-knacks are there, right there on the right. For fun, I put all of the similarly-themed pieces together. There were over 20 owls! Where else can you see such a collection?

Recently, however, things have changed and it is hardly worth the drive to check out the junk. A special section of “finer” junk has been added to the middle of the store, where you can now buy a well-used enamel canning pot for $29.97 (apparently, more valuable with the water rings, as it is about 2 bucks more than this new pot, which is identical).

Back in the day, clothes ranged from 50 cents to $2.50, and although you had to hunt long and hard to find something that worked, it was well worth the effort. Once, I found a psychedelic velvet jacket from the 60s in mint condition. Clothes prices have now doubled, tripled, even quadrupled. One day, I saw a guy pulling clothes off the racks. He was complaining about his chore, because there was so much that was getting pulled, lots of work. When I asked what was going to happen to all of those clothes, he said they were going to the dumpster, since no one wanted them! I later wrote to the store about this, and they clarified. “All clothes are recycled. We also give a lot of clothing and household items away to those who are in need.” This reassured me a little, but how do they recycle? I mean, I know cotton and wool can be recycled, they can even make insulation out of old jeans. But someone's got to go through it all and sort out the other materials, don't they?

The smell of the store is nearly overpowering. It is sickly sweet, the smell of the dry cleaning chemicals possibly (although I have never noticed this smell in my own dry cleaning). It is tolerable when things are cheap. If you buy clothes, you will have to clean them, or at the very least, air them out very well.

The dressing rooms had chairs in them for a while, which was extremely helpful, since they lack adequate hooks. These dressing rooms face the store (furniture section) and have only curtains for privacy, and it’s a little like emerging onstage when you climb out. It is helpful to go with a buddy who is willing to sit on a sofa or love seat facing the dressing room, to help ensure no mischievous child or perverted adult “accidentally” peek in while you try on clothes.

There is an extensive vinyl record collection, but most of it has kitsch value only. Lots of self-published religious music and 60s instrumentals, with an occasional classic from 70s or 80s. They are not handled with particular care, so check the condition before purchasing if you are buying it to play the record. Many are unplayable. Be forewarned, sorting through the records will make your hands very dirty.