Resale, thrift stores go easy on the wallet

Mary Ferland

Special to the Green Valley News

In these hard economic times we all need bargains more than ever and luckily for us we don’t have to drive to Tucson to find them.

On the Green Valley/Sahuarita area there are a dozen places to shop for bargains. No matter what you call them — thrift stores, resale shops, consignment stores — they all result in big savings for the thrifty shopper.

In the past two years, some shop locations and other details have changed and a new open-air market has appeared.

The Green Valley Swap Meet is held Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Sahuarita at the Green Valley Lanes, 1100 W. Beta St. Here you will find antiques, collectibles, arts and crafts, tools, jewelry, etc. New vendors appear each Saturday so different items can be found each time you visit.

All Home Things next door to Goble Electric, 130 W. Duval Mine Road, has a large selection of quality used items for the home. Their merchandise is purchased directly from owners so if you have something to sell they would like to hear from you. Hours are Monday through Friday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Saturdays, 9 a.m. to noon.

The Attic Thrift Shop at the Animal League of Green Valley, 1600 W. Duval Mine Road, is another fun place to find used clothing, books, knickknacks, kitchen wares, furniture and collectibles. All proceeds go to feed and care for the animals. They are open every day, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Green Valley Furnishings, 881 W. Ward Lane, sells pre-owned furnishings on consignment and is a good place to find quality furniture and decorations for the home and office. They are open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Saturday 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Talents Unlimited Boutique at St. Francis-in-the Valley Episcopal Church, 600 S. La Canada Dr., has mostly new items, many hand-crafted by church members. If you need an Easter gift for a special young person in your life be sure to check out the adorable Easter bunnies made from ladies’ embroidered handkerchiefs: $8. You can also find jewelry, books, pecans and fair-trade coffee. Hours are Wednesday, 9:30 a.m. to noon; Sunday 9 a.m. to 9:45 and 11 a.m. to 11:45.

The St. Vincent de Paul Resale Shop, New To You, and Gift Boutique are all at Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Church, 505 N. La Canada Dr. Within these three areas you will find gently used women’s clothing, new gift items, house wares, collectibles, etc. They are open Wednesday 9 to noon.

The White Elephant, 601 N. La Canada Dr., is the best known and largest of all the resale shops in the area. Donations are accepted and proceeds support local schools and charitable organizations. Items turn over constantly and sell quickly so if you see something you like you’d be wise to immediately grab it or ask to have it held for 30 minutes while you decide. Hours are Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to noon.

Encore Classics is in the Green Valley Village, formerly the Green Valley Mall, 101 S. La Canada Dr. Here you will find quality ladies’ new and like-new designer and brand-name apparel, shoes, purses and jewelry all sold on consignment basis. Consignors receive 40 percent of the selling price. If items do not sell and the consignor does not want them back, they are donated to the Brewster Center for Domestic Violence in Tucson. They are open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The Green Valley Library Bookstore is a great place to go if you are a book lover and also want to help support the library. If you have books or magazines you are no longer reading they would love to have them. Large donations can be picked up by calling 520-625-2253. Hours are Monday through Thursday and Saturday 9 a.m. to noon; Friday 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.; Wednesday 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.; Sunday 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Gift certificates are also available.

DaZee’s, 231 W. Duval Mine Road, is an upscale ladies’ resale boutique. DaZee’s Too, open since 2008, is across the parking lot where you will find men’s clothing and an area called The Back Room where everything is $5 and under. Proceeds from DaZee’s support domestic violence advocacy work and Genesis House, the area’s local domestic violence/sexual abuse shelter. Store hours are Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Vensel Treasure Shoppe, 275 Park Center Ave., recently opened on the La Posada campus. It sells quality furniture, art, collectibles, jewelry and accessories for the home. Items are donated or sold on consignment. Because of their new, larger facility they are now open Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

As you can see, bargains galore can be found right here by shopping locally. Save gas, save money and have fun!

Mary Ferland is a Green Valley freelance writer. Contact her at traveler.2@comcast.net.