Skip to Search Skip to Live Player Skip to Content Skip to Footer

Man Snags 700-Year-Old Bargain At Estate Sale

Author Phil Harris
(Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

What’s the coolest or most valuable thing you’ve ever found at a garage sale? I love stories about people who stumble upon forgotten treasures. It could be a mint condition baseball card or comic book, a priceless work of art, or even a collection of vintage automobiles sitting under tarps in a barn. I’m still waiting for my big score.

According to the Associated Press, a bargain hunter from Maine recently found something a lot older than a Mickey Mantle rookie card. Will Sideri went to a local estate sale hoping to find a KitchenAid mixer or some old clothes. Instead, he walked out with a once-in-a-lifetime treasure: a 700-year-old medieval manuscript.

Sideri says he spotted a framed document hanging on the wall, and paid $75 to take it home. It turned out to be a page from The Beauvais Missal, a prayer book from the Beauvais Cathedral in France dating back to the year 1285 A.D. Experts say the document could be worth up to $10,000, but Sideri says he doesn’t plan to sell.

A story like this makes me want to hit some yard sales or thrift stores soon. I just know there’s an original copy of the Magna Carta hidden behind a velvet Elvis painting somewhere out there.

10 Places to Go Thrift Shopping in the Charlotte Area

One of the best things about living in or near a major metro…the affordable shopping! Well, second-hand shopping that is. Thrift shopping is one of my favorite things to do. The pure joy I get from finding an incredible deal is almost euphoric. I seriously think I was a pirate or some sort of treasure hunter in my past life.

Thankfully Charlotte has a ton of different places to the thrift shop. Check out our list of ten places to go and get your treasure hunting on. See my looks below.

  • 1. Hidden Treasures Thrift & Consignment

    Located just outside of South End, this consignment store is a unique place to find hidden treasures. This 6,000 square foot facility features furniture, clothes, odds and ends, and antiques. I’ve been before and I actually found my old nightstand (which was originally from IKEA) at the store. It was a $50 piece which I got for only $25. I would recommend going here if you have a solid amount of time to look and for great furniture finds. You can see more on this store here.

  • 2. Assistance League of Charlotte Thrift Shop

    The Assistance League thrift shop can be found just off South Tryon Street. It is only Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays from 10 am to 4 pm. The proceeds of the Thrift Shop are used to support the philanthropic activities of the Assistance League of Charlotte. Thrift shop items include furniture, clothing, books, toys, jewelry, household items, electronics, computers, shoes, sports equipment, and baby items. The discounts at this shop are really awesome. Each month, 2 different colored tags indicate a discounted price of 50% or 75% off. You can also receive a military discount. The jewelry section at this thrift shop is my favorite. You can see more here.

  • 3. The Goodwill

    The Goodwill has several locations in the Charlotte area. I feel lucky because three are within 10 miles of where I live. I go all the time! You can find clothes, hats, shoes, items, home goods, books, and more at these thrift shops. If you like reselling too, Goodwill is one of the best places to find cheap clothes with tags. Recently on November 1st, Goodwill Industries of Southern Piedmont became bagless. They eliminated using plastic shopping bags in 26 of their area stores to help the planet! You can see more on this thrift shop here.

  • 4. The WearHouse

    The WareHouse is a new one in Charlotte. I haven’t been yet, but it’s on my list to visit. According to their website, they are located at 127 Stetson Drive. They are open Monday through Friday from 9 am to 6 pm and Saturday from 10 am to 5 pm. The store offers the option for people to buy clothes, shoes, books, home goods, and furniture at affordable prices. The merchandise comes from donations and money earned from sales is cycled back into the community. From their Instagram account, the clothing looks super trendy. See more here.

  • 5. The Salvation Army Thrift Store

    Salvation Army thrift stores are located throughout Charlotte. By shopping at one of these stores, you give back to the community. Furniture, books, clothing, home decor, and even vehicles can be bought at a discount. The store located in Plaza-Midwood is my favorite to visit. There are tons of retro clothes there. You can see all the locations in the Charlotte area here.

  • 6. Bargain Hunters Thrift Store Charlotte

    Charlotte, North Carolina, is home to Bargain Hunters Thrift Store Charlotte, located at 7020 Albermarle Road. The store is open from 9 am to 9 pm, Monday through Saturday. It is also open on Sundays from 11 am until 7 pm. They have wide selections of discounted furniture and designer goods. I really enjoyed their home decor section. There was a wide variety of holiday decor which I rarely find. You can see more about this shop here.

  • 7. Community Thrift Store

    Community Thrift Store is located off Freedom Drive. It is open from 10 am until 6 pm Monday through Saturday. They are closed on Sunday. The shop offers low-cost jewelry, books, electronics, and even sports equipment. When I lived in the area, I used to visit the store all the time and shop in the clothing section. You can see more on this thrift shop here.

  • 8. Value Village Thrift Store

    Value Village is well known in the Charlotte area for being an affordable thrift store with a wide variety of high-quality, high-end clothing. The company currently has six locations in Charlotte and surrounding areas. I once bought a brand new pair of Cole Haan boots here for only $6! Women’s, men’s, and children’s clothing, collectibles, costume jewelry, household items, and books can be found in the family-run thrift store. You can see more on this thrift store here.

  • 9. Plato's Closet

    Plato’s Closet is all over the Charlotte area. I love selling and shopping at this thrift store. The largest location is actually right here in the University area! You can recycle your used clothing, shoes, or accessories at Plato’s Closet and get paid on the spot for your unwanted items. Each Plato’s Closet location is individually owned and operated by local business owners, so you can feel good about shopping small. You can find a location near you here.

  • 10. Uptown Cheapskate

    The award-winning resale franchise concept offers top brands like Coach, Michael Kors, Polo, Urban Outfitters, Anthropologie, J. Crew, Banana Republic, and more, as well as shoes, bags, and accessories. Four Uptown Cheapskate stores serve Charlotte metro area residents with affordable prices and gently used gear. I love reselling here as well and then shopping for major discounts with the money I earn. It’s a great way to refresh my wardrobe. You can find your store here. 

Phil Harris is 50% of "Phil & Mel in the Afternoon" on K104.7. He has been with the station since 2013 and on the air in Charlotte since 2000. Before coming to the Queen City, Phil worked for radio stations in Pittsburgh, Austin, and Seattle. In addition to the weekly "Throwback Threesome" music video feature, Phil writes about things that matter to Charlotte sports fans and pet owners. He happens to be both.

Get The K Files Newsletter Delivered Directly To Your Inbox

You'll be in the know on music and entertainment news, exclusive giveaways, and what's happening in right here in Charlotte.

*
By clicking "Subscribe" I agree to the website's terms of Service and Privacy Policy. I understand I can unsubscribe at any time.
Author Phil Harris
Category:
Tags:
,,,,,,,,

More Phil Harris and Melany Myers

Load More