Home Is Where Your Inexpensive Heart Is

Now that winter has settled in for the long haul, many TCians (myself included) are going a wee bit stir crazy in our homes.  Cabin fever, peeps.  Don’t think it’s a serious condition?  Then CLEARLY you have never read Stephen King’s masterwork, The Shining.  And you should, rather than watching that abmissmal movie.  Ugh.  Stanley Kubrick, were you still alive, I would shame you for that piece of crap.  However, I digress.

Cabin Fever!  Is there any cure?  Well, you could spend a fortune on a vacation to a warm locale, risking Montezuma’s Revenge and volcanos and epic sunburn.  Or, you could simply re-feather said cabin for less.  Making over your living space makes it new to you.  And NEW is a recognized cure for enclosure ennui.

Here are three fabulous stores/outlets/pop-up sales that help you shop (frugally, natch) for all the home goods you need to redo and remodel your home.  Trust me, redecorating is WAY cheaper than taking an axe to your wife and child.

New Uses, The Resale Home Store:

There’s a new inexpensive home goods retailer in town, with a brand new bag, baby.  It’s called New Uses, The Resale Home Store in Minnetonka.  And it’s brought to you by the same people who opened the franchise Clothes Mentor.  New Uses is their home goods version of that popular consignment clothing chain.  The store, which opened January 19^th, is the first of 8 stores planned for the metro area.

At New Uses, consumers are paid upfront for their gently used home merchandise.  No more waiting until your item sells to get a check!  Just bring your stuff to the store, no appointment necessary.  Store employees will check each item to ensure it meets their quality and operating standards.  If accepted, you’ll be paid based on condition, brand, stock level and demand.

Shoppers can shop for items at low prices, often $2 to $10 per item.  According to the folks at New Uses, all products are clean, safe, in working condition, and ready to sell.   Most importantly, everything carries a seven-day return policy.             

Here’s what you’ll find:  furniture like tables, chairs, lamps, bookshelves, entertainment centers, bar stools and desks.  Kitchen equipment like pots, pans, dishes, bake-ware, glasses, and flatware.  Small appliances like blenders, mixers, coffee makers, and microwaves.  Electronics like televisions, DVDs, digital cameras, and iPods.  Pet supplies like aquariums, carriers, collars and cages.  Home decor like pictures, frames, candles, brass and copper pieces.  And home improvement equipment like power tools, hand tools, lawn tools, socket sets, drills, and sanders.

Pro Rebuilding Outlet:

If you need even MORE home improvement goods, at discount prices, you need to visit the Pro Rebuilding Outlet.  They carry one-of-a-kind, recycled goods.  Bear in mind, this isn’t your traditional stop in and shop outlet.  Here’s how PRO works:  First, you need to start online.  Shop their warehouse website at ProRebuildingOutlet.com.  Then call to schedule an appointment to view and purchase your items.

PRO carries everything from furniture to flooring, tools to lighting, even antique items.  And now through February, they are having a warehouse-wide sale with 20 to 75% off items.  

The Cottage House:

You’ve heard of pop-up sales for clothing and accessories, but there is also a home goods pop-up sale going on in Minneapolis.  It’s called the Cottage House, and every month, 15 of the most talented home stagers in MN get together to restyle and resell their staging items.  The sale takes place at a two-story house on Chicago Avenue.  The Cottage House features unique, well-price furniture and home décor – and many items make terrific gifts for weddings or graduation.

The next sale is February 15th through the 19th, and the theme is Home and Cabin.  You’ll probably see me there.  For the calendar of upcoming events, log on to TheCottageHouseMpls.com.