Bargain Shopping and Thrift Stores: Great Deals on Furniture, Part 1



With graduation just a few months away, many students' thoughts turn to careers and first apartments. Some students are planning weddings and for that first place with that someone special. Other students, while not yet ready to graduate, are stepping out on their own for the first time. But with student loans to pay off, sky-high gas prices and the high cost of living in general, furnishing an apartment or house can seem like a daunting and expensive task. But many stores in Louisville offer quality furniture, appliances and home decor for very reasonable prices.

University of Louisville student and newlywed Lynette Riley knows this all too well. She married her high school sweetheart last August and is working hard to balance married life, school and a job. Riley says her dollars are precious, and she is always on the hunt for furniture and items to decorate the couple's small apartment on Speed Avenue: "I like to shop at places like Goodwill, TJ Maxx, Big Lots and Target. They have the best deals." Riley said she likes the prices and the quality of the things she's bought at these stores. "I bought a great end table at the Goodwill on Taylorsville Road for $10. You can't beat that."

Riley's find at Goodwill wasn't just luck. Each piece at the Taylorsville Road location was priced under $100; most was under $50. Goodwill isn't the only place to find quality furniture at reasonable prices. The Louisville Antique Mall on Goss Avenue offers many unique finds. Much of the furniture at the Antique Mall is in good condition; the more well worn items can easily be refinished. The second floor of the Antique Mall has unfinished furniture or furniture with finish that is cracked or peeling, but can easily be cleaned up and painted or finished to look like new. An added bonus: over time, the prices of many second floor items go down. Check the tags. There is one drawback however: prices at the Antique Mall range from the reasonable to the highly expensive, You have to look closely to find the deals, but it's worth it.

Happy Shopping!