A THRIFTY GIRL'S HEAVEN!

Before there was a fashionista or bargainista, there was an even fancier term - bargain hunter!  Google it and you'll find my name and picture in the Wikipedia stats box. Among the highlights: thousands of dollars saved; hundreds of unique finds and countless great deals.
Read more below and see photos...

I love clothes, but most of all, I love the thrill of the hunt. Name brand and trends mean absolutely nothing to me - unless I can find them on a clearance rack at 75 percent off. And then I MIGHT think about buying them.  Fashion, to me, is not in the labels, but it's in how I look in a unique piece. It helps if I find it at a great price.

The bargainista in me hits up a thrift at least 3 times a months...or as often as I pass by one.  My favorite of all is the Goodwill.  So imagine my excitement when I found out the thrift store has kicked it up a notch with an upscale boutique-style store called Bluetique.  The name is a play on the non-profit's logo color and the boutique-like atmosphere.

Every news org in town has talked this store up.  My old stomping grounds, First Coast News, teased it as "Not Grandma's Goodwill."  In my case, I never go into any thrift store looking for bell bottoms and butterfly collars, but it's true that when you walk into Bluetique, you feel like you've stepped into a high-end boutique.  

You won't find decked-out Christmas cardigans, old furniture or knick-knacks.  But you will feast your eyes on popular brands that include Banana Republic, The Limited, Abercrombie & Fitch, American Eagle and Gap.  You'll also find designer brands like Chanel, Dereon, Guess, Jones New York and Tommy Hilfiger.  There is a nice selection of men's suits, jeans (new and donated) and dress shirts as well.

According to the The Financial News & Daily Record, 75 percent of the clothing in the store is donated from the Goodwill donation center in the area.  The other 25 percent is new close-out merchandise or overstocked items purchase for resale from various sources.  From my couple of excursions, I can say that if it were not for the different types of price tags, you wouldn't know the difference between the previously owned items and the new.

There's a reason for that.  Bluetique is in one of the wealthiest areas lining the shores of the Atlantic Ocean - Ponte Vedra Beach.  It is home to the PGA Tour and The Players Championship...and plenty of Jacksonville Jaguars.  I'm not saying that pro golfer and footballer wives are donating everything, but the area speaks for itself.  And that makes my heart sing!   We're talking top quality (very important), barely used and very unique pieces - FOR DIRT CHEAP!

In doing my research, I found that Goodwill opened these stores nationwide.  Check them out in your area.  You won't be disappointed - if you're a bargain hunter - I mean - bargainista like moi.  Locally, you can check out the Ponte Vedra store at 832 A1A in the Tournament Plaza.  They open at 10 a.m. during the week and at noon on Sundays.

You can't see them from here, but the window displays let you know right off that this is not your typical Goodwill.

If the displays aren't enough to win you over, the fitting room area is sure to put you at ease.  Richly toned velour drapes offer an inviting space to try on clothing.  I love the huge floor-length mirrors!

There is jewelry and accessories galore - new and donated.

New designer purses, scarfs, hats and shoes...

 

The second time I went into the store, Action News Reporter, Kristen Sell and her cameraman, Robert Jackson, were doing a piece on the bargain boutique... with a Christmas spin.  They were nice enough to have my blog camera (cell phone) turned on them.  The Web post is a couple of weeks old, but you can check it out here.  I would also like to thank Jacksonville Magazine.  I first saw the ad in the local mag while perusing through it during my lunch break one day at work.