Another closure in Renton - say goodbye to Value Village

Yet another goodbye in the Renton shopping and dining arena - Value Village will close it's doors a week from this Saturday. That's right - after 30 plus years of having a presence in our community, the thrift store will say goodbye very soon.

This particular Value Village was the first in the greater Seattle area, one of the sweet store staff told me today. That was over 30 years ago, and most members of the community have memories of coming to the store when they were kids. With the Halloween stuff already contained in a single aisle, Christmas decorations have already started to creep onto many a shelf and the common lament when the customers are told of the immanent closure is - But what about Christmas?

The store staff has been told that they can apply for a transfer and many of them have been going for interviews in Kent, Auburn and some as far as Puyallup. But like Amelia, my favorite of all staff at the store, says she will really miss the community and her customers the most. Amelia is a spreader of sunshine and smiles - so it will be a loss for all of us who look forward to be greeted by her on our visits to the store.

I will be the first to admit that I was once a completely devoted "Vee Vee" shopper, making it there a couple times a week at a minimum. I have treasures plucked from their store strewn throughout my home. The prices made it hard to consider shopping anywhere else - and I always found something in their selection to suit my fancy. But the last year, I have tapered off going. The prices rose and the sale days never held anything with the requisite tag color to make me want to continue to go. Family members even wrote as much into the company on a comments form. To no avail.

But I still would occasionally drop off my discards for donation and take a spin through the store and that is how I came to find out the news today. I am bummed - this economy just doesn't seem to be picking up as the news would have us believe. I know so many people seeking employment (including moi) and things are tight for most. Exactly the time when you need a good thrift store to help you make it through the most expensive holiday time of the year. Value Village - I will be missing you.

Value Village
1222 Bronson Way N Renton, WA
98057-5792
(425) 255-5637

What's happenin' on Third Street

So sad to see them go! If you haven't ever seen the lovely shop of antiques and new finds that was on South Third Street, then you have almost missed your chance - almost. Feathered Nest was such a great addition to the top block of our main drag. Sue Moeller and Melanie have been friends and business partners for awhile, and they paired together very nicely when they opened the store a couple of years ago. But things change and now Sue looks forward to having more free time and enjoying retirement with her hubby. The store has a huge sale going on - but things are being boxed up and moved , so call ahead for store hours.
Feathered Nest (425) 430-5411 914 S. Third Street

The Antique Mall on Wells Street, between S. Third and S. Second has been a favorite shopping stop of mine for sometime now. My entire home is graced with any number of goodies that I have found in Bev's store. Now, there are plans to move into the space adjacent to Rod's Antique Country Station at the top of S. Third. The plans are to have entirely new inventory, so keep your eyes peeled for good sales in the upcoming weeks.
Downtown Renton Antique Mall (425) 271- 0511 210 Wells Street

I haven't worn many hats that I haven't fashioned or knit myself these last couple of years, and maybe that was true for a lot of people, because the hat shop, Hats Exclusively For You, that graced S. Third just east of Cugini's has been gone for a little while now - so that space is available, if anyone is interested.

However, Jennifer Davis Hayes let us know in a recent email she sent around that at 601 S. Third a new Teriyaki/Burger joint will be going in - which will be great, because for a lot of us, Burgers are a food group we gladly eat from all of the time.