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The Newcomer
(by Della Bacon - October 23, 2007)
If you are anything like me, you love a good bargain; you get a kick out of some garage sales. You love to check out antique stores, thrift shops and boutiques. Before the week passes, you must read The Digger Shopper & News for the second time—from front to back and top to bottom. You check it out because you don’t want to miss anything—just in case you need it, want it, or can’t live without it. Then too, you might have a friend who collects specialty items or has a hobby of sorts. Isn’t that why all us silly people go to garage sales, thrift shops and boutiques?
Now that the rainy-day, cooler weather season is upon us, garage sales will be few and far between. What this means to me, is there is time in my busy schedule to consider all other options in this fine community. Keep-in-mind, my favorite things to do happen to be shopping, talking and writing about my adventures. So I’m writing about antique stores, thrift shops, mercantile, trading posts and general stores in this edition.
Almost Antiques is located on Montgomery Street. Michael and Cheryl Lucas purchase and appraise estates. They advertise themselves as re-sellers of treasures for your heart and home. I discovered everything imaginable inside that store, even mink coats. They have been in the same location for the past 31 years and are exceedingly knowledgeable and friendly folks.
Memories Past is owned and operated by Andy and Diana Brantley, who have been in the same location for the past 10 years. They are easy-to-talk-to and nice to do business with. Mary Ellen Andoe of California Collections and Cindy Stokes are also collectors and display their wares at Memories Past. Check this store out. It’s full of homemade items, decorating ideas, and wonderful people.
I met up with Andy Suplita outside the Gold City Mercantile-General Store. I asked him to tell me the difference between an antique shop and a thrift store. He abruptly informed me antique shops do not normally sell clothing, and most of the items inside an antique store were manufactured before 1950. Andy added that an item is well-cared for, it could be worth more than most people would think. In 1976, Andy moved from Orange, California, where there is an enormous number of antique dealers. As we were visiting, 14-year-old Joe Suplita appeared with his dog Ophir. Young Joe is being groomed to take over this business when his father, Andy decides to retire. The Mercantile General Store, on Myers Street, has a little bite of everything and some very cute ideas on how to rejuvenate something old. .
The New Life Missions Boutique recently opened at the corner of Myers Street and Park Avenue, in Oroville. Although it is called a boutique and has some small gifts available, it is actually a not-for-profit thrift shop and run by cheerful volunteers like a sweet lady named Bea; who tells me she has a special section in the store set up for seniors to rest in-between shopping sprees. They can enjoy a free cup of tea or coffee. The section is set up for visiting, reading a book or working on that’s week’s jigsaw puzzle. There is no extra charge for friendly conversation with the delightful volunteers..
While browsing around, I bumped into Brenda Malone. She gave me a tour of the store and a little information:
· New Life Missions Boutique moved from their Lincoln Street location.
· The Grand Opening Celebration will be Nov. 1st.
· New Life Church now owns Living Word Christian Book Store.
Barely a block away is PAWS Thrift and Gift Shop. It is located off Myers on Baldwin Street. They are a not-for-profit thrift shop. All proceeds go to the promotion of the Animal Welfare Society of Butte County. Animal-lovers and volunteers take pride in keeping this establishment on track. The first time I set foot inside I was asked to be a volunteer. I must have told someone my only daughter, lives in Texas, and runs a animal rescue network out of Beaumont. Have you thought about doing Volunteer work? Try it; you might like it.
On Bird Street you will find three more new-to-you, re-sale-type-thrift shops worth investigating. Some even carry brand new merchandise.
· The Attic,
· The Lighthouse Mission Thrift Shop
· Lee’s New To You re-sell store.
Some other places of interest to you could be the Mini Thrift Store and Little Thrift Store located on Lincoln Street; Northwestern Trading Company on Bird Street at Huntoon Street; plus the Salvation Army Thrift Store, located in the Raley Shopping Center. (I am sorry to say Ruthie’s Past and Present with something for all has closed down shop, for the time being).
Even though you think you know every single thing about Oroville, the downtown, and have read each line of this Digger News edition; please re-read the paper because a lot of the specialty and used items offered for sale at these stores are also advertised in the classified. If you are looking for something special, let me know: della@diggernews.com
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