"Some of our customers just moved into their first home and need to furnish it. Some had it and lost it. Some could never afford it otherwise," Lebow said.
He priced a reupholstered, cream-colored 1940s Baker sofa at $700 and it went fast. He wasn’t surprised, saying, "Old Baker pieces are the highest quality."
Some of his favorite items are a $1,265 Baker chest that’s a 1705 Queen Anne burl pecan reproduction, a $345 Christolfe teapot and a $1,380 19th century Japanese Ikebana basket for floral arrangements.
The most expensive items are two paintings for sale for $6,000 each by Tino Zago and Larry Horowitz.
"That’s substantially below gallery," Lebow said, adding that he sold a pop art piece by Julian Stanchyk from a generous donor to a New York collector for $15,000. "It had never been on display. I put all good things on Craigslist."
All sales are final. There are no exchanges or refunds. Revenue from the stores supports the council’s 25 service programs, such as free backpacks for needy students, kosher meals on wheels for low-income seniors, barrier-free playground equipment for children with disabilities, and scholarships for college students.
"We’re focused on improving lives of children, women and families," said Susan Gertner, executive director of the NCJW/Greater Detroit Section.
The stores generate about 10 percent of the council’s $1.3 million operating budget, which also takes in revenue from grants, membership dues and donations.
"We’ve been running resale shops for 77 years," Gertner said. "We felt it made sense to open a third one. You can donate for a tax deduction, consign to make money, shop for a good deal and the community benefits because the proceeds go to good causes."
The fast turnover at the home décor store should make for a steady flow of foot traffic, Gertner added. Continued...
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