Before yard sales were popular and thrift stores abounded there was the " Bargain Box. " The bargain box was a thrift shop in East Hampton run by the Ladies Village Improvement Society. It was a small, dimly lit store full of clutter. A fascinating place to explore as a child. All the items offered for sale where, to the best of my knowledge, donated. What's more they were donated mostly by the rich. At least that was the perception that I had. The people that lived " upstreet " and in the village were all rich. That meant they had good stuff. To this day I am not one to buy used clothing at these places but the bargain box had a lot of those. I remember seeing polo shirts with that little alligator on them, expensive stuff ! If memory serves the basement is where the clothes were. Long racks of three piece suits and ladies dresses. I recall going to see a concert and needing the proper attire. This concert was Sonny Terry and Brownie McGee, legendary blues men. A three piece pin striped suit,double breasted and quite baggy and a fedora would be perfect. Go to the Bargain Box ! Got all I needed there for about five dollars.
Yes, the trappings of the wealthy and well to do could be had there. Golf clubs, whole sets of them in fancy bags, tennis rackets and used lamps and such. There was just no telling what might be had. I bought an old table top radio there for ten cents. That radio worked just fine.
I remember this little store fondly. This was at a time when you could go in with a few dollars and come out with an armload. Items were priced to sell ! Fifty cents or a dollar was common. Whole sets of dishes could be had for five bucks. Service for eight, complete with all the accessories. They even had candlesticks. Them rich folks could afford the electric bill alright but sure liked to use candles. Judging by the number of lamps available at the bargain box they must have had some aversion to table lamps.
My friend and neighbor worked at the Bargain Box for a number of years. She bragged that she always got first pick. She was a crafty lady, back before we called it crafting, and would buy the old coats and skirts made of wool. She used this wool in making rugs. The bargain box was definitely a great source for that type of thing. High quality materials for cheap. I don't remember the bargain box ever finding anything of great value. The items were donated by those in the know I suppose. I would look around in there occasionally. Browsing, by teenagers, was frowned upon back then. Nothing would be said but you knew. It was the social atmosphere of the times. Know your place and be respectful !
I have heard that the Bargain Box is still in operation. I have also heard that it is not inexpensive anymore. I'm sure some of my friends from back there will inform me further on it's status. Last I knew it was on Main Street. That real estate has got to be quite valuable today. Funny when you think about it. Shopping at the Bargain Box was something you did for fun. That was the perception that you wanted to give anyway. You could certainly buy whatever you needed at a real store but the Bargain Box was fun. You did it to support the Ladies Village Improvement Society, it was practically a civic duty. If you did get some good stuff and take it home for use, you never told anyone where you got it. It was kinda like getting welfare, you didn't want others to know.
I still enjoy browsing in the junk shops. Bargains can still be had but it is getting harder to find them. Nowadays more people feel there junk is collectible and valuable. Even the wealthy are not as quick to discard items. There is an abundance of online shopping dedicated to this. Yard sales and garage sales are everywhere. Once a year the local church even has a Bazaar ! Don't see those as much as you did in past years.
I do not frequent the local "Bargain Box" as there are few bargains to be had. Like a lot of things of the past they are not the same. The prices have moved into the future ! The only real bargains left are in outdated electronics and clothes. I have no interest in either. Still I will browse time to time. Finding that bargain is a time honored pastime. Guess we have always wanted something for cheap and probably always will.
Yes, the trappings of the wealthy and well to do could be had there. Golf clubs, whole sets of them in fancy bags, tennis rackets and used lamps and such. There was just no telling what might be had. I bought an old table top radio there for ten cents. That radio worked just fine.
I remember this little store fondly. This was at a time when you could go in with a few dollars and come out with an armload. Items were priced to sell ! Fifty cents or a dollar was common. Whole sets of dishes could be had for five bucks. Service for eight, complete with all the accessories. They even had candlesticks. Them rich folks could afford the electric bill alright but sure liked to use candles. Judging by the number of lamps available at the bargain box they must have had some aversion to table lamps.
My friend and neighbor worked at the Bargain Box for a number of years. She bragged that she always got first pick. She was a crafty lady, back before we called it crafting, and would buy the old coats and skirts made of wool. She used this wool in making rugs. The bargain box was definitely a great source for that type of thing. High quality materials for cheap. I don't remember the bargain box ever finding anything of great value. The items were donated by those in the know I suppose. I would look around in there occasionally. Browsing, by teenagers, was frowned upon back then. Nothing would be said but you knew. It was the social atmosphere of the times. Know your place and be respectful !
I have heard that the Bargain Box is still in operation. I have also heard that it is not inexpensive anymore. I'm sure some of my friends from back there will inform me further on it's status. Last I knew it was on Main Street. That real estate has got to be quite valuable today. Funny when you think about it. Shopping at the Bargain Box was something you did for fun. That was the perception that you wanted to give anyway. You could certainly buy whatever you needed at a real store but the Bargain Box was fun. You did it to support the Ladies Village Improvement Society, it was practically a civic duty. If you did get some good stuff and take it home for use, you never told anyone where you got it. It was kinda like getting welfare, you didn't want others to know.
I still enjoy browsing in the junk shops. Bargains can still be had but it is getting harder to find them. Nowadays more people feel there junk is collectible and valuable. Even the wealthy are not as quick to discard items. There is an abundance of online shopping dedicated to this. Yard sales and garage sales are everywhere. Once a year the local church even has a Bazaar ! Don't see those as much as you did in past years.
I do not frequent the local "Bargain Box" as there are few bargains to be had. Like a lot of things of the past they are not the same. The prices have moved into the future ! The only real bargains left are in outdated electronics and clothes. I have no interest in either. Still I will browse time to time. Finding that bargain is a time honored pastime. Guess we have always wanted something for cheap and probably always will.
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