Fort Oglethorpe's Second Act Thrift Store owner Bob Hagedorn is marking things down half price for a summer sale event.
Those on a budget or just looking to save money can stop by to browse through the men's, women's and children's clothing, collectibles, antiques, home decor, furniture, purses, jewelry, shoes, lamps, electronics and books found in the store.
Second Act Thrift Store owner Bob Hagedorn holds a silver tray set that's for sale inside his store."Most of our clothing is two for $5 and we have been running a half price sale, so most of our clothing is $1.25 each," said Hagedorn, of Ringgold. "We buy name brand clothing from individuals and take donations. We get new items in every day and our inventory changes constantly. We have the best prices on quality items in the Chattanooga/North Georgia area."
He said he never knows what people will bring in, but he buys only the best; only good quality merchandise makes it to the sales floor. The store showcases clothing from brands like American Eagle, Old Navy, Coldwater Creek and Chico.
"We get a lot of shoppers here that could go to the mall, but they like to come here to save money," said Hagedorn. "We don't have a set inventory. The next week we usually get hundreds of new pieces. Women also love the clothing in the store. I try to have a good selection for them."
With the ongoing sale, he said a brand new black cocktail dress retails for $8 and Hollister jeans for $12.
The store showcases three racks of men's clothing, five racks of children's clothing and 12 racks of women's clothing. Shoes can be found on tables throughout the store; new pairs sell for $6 to $8 and used ones for $2.50. The store has four racks with plus-size clothing too.
Soon customers will also be able to find longtime manager Peggy on the sales floor. She will be returning soon after being on medical leave.
"Peggy has a great personality and the customers love her," said Hagedorn.
He's been in the retail business for 40 years, getting his start in the fabric business, he said. While working for a fabric company, he helped launch 15 fabric stores in the South. Later, he decided to go in business for himself because he wanted to stay in Georgia. So he opened two clothing stores in Georgia and three in Missouri, where he moved to Georgia from in 1968.
Understanding how shoppers like to save money, Hagedorn said he opted to go into the thrift store business in the 1990s.