Wednesday, September 29, 2010

Summer Clearance Bag Sale - 2010

We spend a couple of hours setting up bag sale: roping off the parking lot, blocking off the driveway to thru-traffic, rolling out racks (and racks) of clothing, lining up shoes, hauling out armfuls of handbags, and mentally preparing ourselves for the best kind of madness and mahem there is: the first five minutes of Bag Sale. And last Saturday was no exception. The line started before dawn, and by the time 9am arrived over one hundred people stretched across the store front and down Lake Street.

And then Bonnie, owner of Finders Keepers and our Fearless Leader, introduced Haji, a refugee from Sierra Leone, who works at our Furnishings location. Haji and other refugees are the reason - the real reason - that we hold this semi-annual event. Shoppers can stuff bags full of clearance merchandise for only $10 a bag and 100% of the proceeds from our Bag Sales go directly to Refugee Resettlement and Immigration Services of Atlanta (RRISA.) Last Saturday's Bag Sale raised $1638 for this very worthy, very necessary cause. I couldn't help but wonder what he thought about the event. But just the idea of it made me burst into big, pregnant-lady tears and I didn't want to be a blubbery, teary mess when I asked him because I have never seen him cry. In fact he smiles. A lot.

I've posted pictures below. Be sure to check out our youtube page for video clips of interviews and the total madness of Bag Sale! And take a peek at Finders Keepers Furnishings blog to see pictures from RRISA's Artists Market, which showcased products from beaders, weavers, and painters!


Forget gilded streets - how about shoe-lined sidewalks?

Bag Sale Enthusiasts waited for hours for the 9am start

So neat and tidy... not for long!

Three stylish shoppers await the start

What a fun way to start your Saturday!

The line just kept on going...

and going...

Jessica armed and ready to collect money!
Shoppers could stuff as many bags as they wanted for just $10 a bag!

I think Bag Sale had been underway for about... 90 seconds...

They came. They saw. They shopped. And they supported a great cause!

Way to multi-task! Get in some shopping and some strength training!

There are clothes down there?



Time elapsed: less than 5 minutes and the rack is almost clear!

Hi Haji! One day I'm going to ask you what you think about all this!


Meet Tessa and Leanne - representatives from RRISA.
Check out their website at: http://www.rrisa.org/

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