TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Decorate On A Dime

TRIBUNE PHOTO CANDACE C. MUNDY

Items for sale at Once More Decor, a home interior consignment store which opened recently at 5380 W. Village Drive in Carrollwood.

ADVERTISEMENT

By MICHELE SAGER

The Tampa Tribune

Published: August 20, 2008

CARROLLWOOD - Looking for bargains in a tough economy?

Carrollwood shoppers have new alternatives.

The consignment store Once More Decor recently opened on at 5380 W. Village Drive. JoAnn Springer and her daughter Andrea operate the store, which features gently used home goods .

"Andrea studied interior decorating so we decided we would give this a try," JoAnn Springer said.

The store works like this: People can sell their items on consignment, and the furniture owner and store split the sale.

"People can e-mail a picture of the items, and we'll evaluate them for sale," she said.

The store offers free pickup within a 15-mile radius of the store. The store accepts furnishings, home decor, lamps, wall art and area rugs. Items must be valued at least $5. It doesn't take electronics, appliances, linens or dishes.

Items must be clean and in "like new" condition.

The store's showroom features a variety of furniture placed in decorated settings.

"We try to help people imagine how the furniture might look in their homes," Andrea Springer said.

Items are displayed for four months and marked down 10 percent every 30 days.

JoAnn Springer said that because the store is new, she isn't sure how much the economy is motivating people to turn to a consignment shop to buy and sell items.

"It's a good alternative for people looking for unique items for a lower price," she said. "We try to carry a range of items from upscale pieces to Rooms to Go items. We want to have something for everyone."

The store owners also will help customers pick items to decorate offices and other spaces. JoAnn Springer said they helped a recent customer furnish their entire dorm room for under $500.

"It's a great place to find something different, whether you want shabby chic or something more dressed up," JoAnn Springer said.

Another recently opened spot in town for deals is Life's Treasures Thrift Store. Unlike the consignment shop, Life's Treasures strictly takes donations, and items sold benefit New LifePath Hospice.

"We've had many people from northern Hillsborough come to our South Tampa location, so our new Carrollwood store will be convenient for them," said Patty Klein, a spokeswoman for the store.

The thrift store carries a range of items including clothing, shoes, books and cookware. Free pickup is available for furniture and larger items and for picking up after community garage sales.

Klein said the store is in need of gently used clothing.

ONCE MORE DECOR

Location: 5380 W. Village Drive

Phone: (813) 962-4663

Web Site: www.oncemore

decortampa.com

Hours: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday to Friday; noon to 5 p.m. Saturday

LIFE'S TREASURES THRIFT STORE

Location: 4802 Gunn Highway

Phone: (813) 969-2049

Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Wednesday, Saturday; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday and Friday.

Reporter Michele Sager can be reached at (813) 865-4843 or msager@tampatrib.com.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT