Sharing Secrets

For quite a few minutes now, I've been staring a blank screen on my laptop. Should I give away information on my secret haunts- those wonderful places I visit to find extraordinarily cheap and yet perfect accessories? Here goes-

First, ( I don't feel bad about this one) - Habitat ReStore is located near Front street and the Chouteau Bridge at 4701 Deramus Avenue. Chock full of mostly used merchandise, I've found many great buys over the years. Gallons of paint, great quality, just mismatched color. Vintage tile by the box, windows and doors, some with leaded and stained glass. Brand new jute and sisal rugs, rubber backed. All kinds of wood, cabinet doors, and trim I use for sample work in my business. Even entire kitchens of matching cabinetry, all at very cheap prices. The best part- all of the profits go to building new homes for the needy through Habitat for Humanity. Help yourself and our environment by keeping all of that stuff out of the landfill---please!www.restorekc.org

Secondly, (this one I'd prefer to keep secret) - Urban Mining Homewares is located near 39th and Main. It's open the first weekend of every month. I've gone every month for a couple of years now, and never failed to find something I couldn't live without. Lots of furniture, retro and antique, waiting to be refinished or re purposed. For Valentine's Day I found a small hand painted card in an old oak frame for less than the price of a standard greeting card. I bought an Empire period pedestal table, stripped off the veneer on the top and painted a new faux marble one- a steal at $60.00! Very cool people, with the right mindset- reuse, recycle, have fun. Some events benefit local charitable organizations- it's a win-win! http://www.urbanmininghomewares.com/

I'll have more at another time, too many secrets for one day!