Cheap scores at Retique

Fancy footwear at Retique. All photos by Brian Jacobson.

The words “Third Ward” and “thrift” seem like opposites, don’t they? When I mention that Goodwill has opened a store at 190 N. Broadway, folks say, “Goodwill in the Third Ward? No way!” It isn’t that the Ward doesn’t have other resale venues, they do, but nothing quite so nifty as this neat-as-a-pin thrifty.

And what are the chances that the store manager’s last name is “Good?” Aimee is her first name, and she aims to please, or at least she did when I first perused Retique’s 2,500-square-foot space. Students with IDs receive 10 percent discounts each Saturday, and seniors (60 years upward) save 15 percent on Wednesdays.

Okay, Black Friday looms and even though Goodwill doesn’t “celebrate” that event, it will be open for business. I’ve squirreled away $50 to blow on ten friends. Figuring $5 per head, I decide not to sweat that figure. Perhaps, I’ll unearth something for a buck and be able to selectively splurge on impressing my favorite aunt.

Shoppers shop the racks.

Don’t rush through the racks and shelves. This could be Nordstrom, but it isn’t. I scored these items for:

Granddaughter, age 27 (a frequent round-the-world flyer): A crocheted black chenille scarf with plenty of fringe on both ends. It’s cost? $4.99

Daughter-In-Law, age 40 (spoiled rotten): Her husband gave her a custom, baby blue Ferrari for her birthday. She’ll never suspect this tiny, hot pink Pucci-style purse (100-percent silk) set me back $1.99.

Son, age 45 (stressed-out from supporting the Ferrari): For $4.99, I nabbed this chic, 100-percent wool mushroom-hued Stetson driving cap — just right for making his get-away.

Brother, age 60 (owns thousands of books and too many cats): What’s another book, more or less? The 1910 authorized-edition of Whirligigs by O. Henry will thrill. It’s not The Turn of the Screw, but for $3.98, who cares?

Small decoratives abound.

Sister, age 73 (community activist/gardener): She still wears clothes from her University of Kansas college years. A never-used, 2-by-4 picture frame with a “sand” finish embellished by starfish, etc., cost $2.99. I’ll put a picture of me in it. Heh, heh.

Note: Half-way through with $32 left.

Daughter, age 48 (a West Bend rez): She’ll get a packet of three beautifully printed cards (on lush paper), with artwork by a trio of persons with disabilities who are employed at Goodwill Industries. The cost? $4, for images rivaling any at our local museums or galleries.

Former boyfriend (cross this one out and save money): No, on second thought, I’ll get him a genuine, 8-inch rugged statue of a Wild West lawman. Made in Boulder, CO. It’s perfect for a control freak, and so is the $4.99 price.

Auntie (ageless):  For her, it’s a brightly painted Santa plate for serving Fluffernutter sandwiches; it’s $10, but worth it. There are no chips, cracks, runs, drips or errors. Fluffernutters? Oh, they’re made of Sunbeam white bread, peanut butter and Fluffo. You can find that stuff at Koppa’s on Farwell.

Baubles galore.

Meter Maid (she deserves everything she gets, right?): This was no easy task. Even though she’s left multiple greetings on my windshield, I’m turning the tables by leaving a $3.99 grab bag of assorted costume jewelry on hers.

Nephew, age 8 (on the cusp of manhood): He’ll love this slender silver chain with a rock ‘n roll attitude. It’s cost? $2.99.

The year was 1919 when Goodwill was incorporated. The year is 2009 now, and Milwaukee’s non-profit Retique (the first of its kind in our town) offers chic on the cheap. Gone is the stigma of buying used items. Suddenly, used is in (though I’m not sure I like the feel-good approach because genuine environmentalists have recycled for years). Beware of the silly parking meters outside of Retique’s entry, those quarter-suckers take a lot and give back little, unlike Goodwill, which takes a little and gives much back.

Editor’s Note: Retique, located at 190 N. Broadway in Milwaukee’s Third Ward, gets its wares from selecting “overflow” donations to the local Goodwill and direct donations made at the store. In addition to men and women’s clothing, accessories and home accents, there is also framed artwork, prints and cards from the Artistic Enhancement Program featured and on sale. The pieces are created by men and women with disabilities in the Goodwill service program. For more information on the holiday cards in the collection, visit this link. The retail location is open 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays, and from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sundays. For more information, call: 414-273-1797.