Thrift store and auction looking for deals

Randy Brunson told Historic City News that he has joined his daughter, Tracie Brunson Mara, in opening a thrift store in St. Augustine with a twist — they will also hold auctions at their new location at 5 West San Carlos Avenue.

“St. Augustine has several thrift stores,” Brunson said. “But, what we are doing is a little different.”

Brunson told Historic City News that he did not want St. Augustine Thrift Store and Auction to be “your typical consignment shop” — and a walk through the nearly 3,000 square feet of retail space, even though not completely finished, gives customers an idea of what Brunson has in mind.

“Business has been brisk,” said store managing-owner Tracie Brunson Mara. She said that before they had completed painting walls and stocking shelves, customers who had heard about the store were already poking around and making purchases.

Brunson envisions acquiring overstock inventories, store closings and estates as a regular source of his merchandise. “I’ll buy commercial fixtures, furniture, electronics, art, and offer a price in whole lots,” Brunson said. “I’d rather buy a house full of better quality merchandise than operate a second-hand store taking in one or two items at a time.”

The location, which was originally an auto parts distributor’s warehouse, is across the street from the main library located at Ponce de Leon Boulevard and West San Carlos Avenue. Brunson told us, “Everyone knows where the carousel at Davenport Park is, so, it’s not very hard to find.”

Brunson and Mara work in the shop together and when a deal can be made to purchase items they feel they can sell or auction, Brunson runs out to make the arrangements.

The store is open from 10:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. daily and closed on Sunday.

Photo credits: © 2011 Historic City News staff photographer