Do they have thrift stores in Lake Forest? Yes, there's a shop downtown, often called the best-kept secret in Lake Forest, that's been in business since 1937. The Lake Forest Hospital Resale Shop takes in donations that volunteers sell to benefit the hospital.
As a rule, thrift store inventory generally reflects the economy of the community around it. This is true at LFHR, where I found lots of seasonal items on the main floor and some Armani suits in the women's boutique upstairs.
Among the holiday decorations, this large and shiny wreath was priced
at $20. There were a few racks of designer holiday wear, too, for men,
women and children. The Ann Taylor vest below was marked $10.
It would work for a holiday party with a pair of slim black pants.
This men's jacket - the label said it's camel hair - was hanging on a rack with maybe 20 jackets priced at $20.
I
browsed around the household and holiday items, then went upstairs to
the women's clothing boutique. Now, I didn't get all the prices there
because I struck up a conversation with Hassah, who was shopping there
with her friend. Hassah is a cantor, lives in Skokie and said she comes
to the LF shop a couple of times a year but usually waits for the sales
to buy anything (I'm working on finding out when they are). She shops
a lot of thrifts, she said, and is always on the look out for quiet,
conservative clothing since she represents her temple community. She
frequents the recently opened Salvation Army in Morton Grove and the Hadassah House on Dempster.
HIghlights for me at the Lake Forest Resale:
- The
women's clothing - I think you could put together a good dressy outfit
and a professional interview look without making a trip to the mall
- The holiday wreaths and decorations - good quality, not too pricey
- The men's wear - if you find a jacket in your size you should get it. Nice quality ties, if you wear those, too.
- Women's handbags and shoes - many looked new
Here's
a few more photos of what the LF Resale Shop has to offer. The store is
located downtown in Lake Forest at 653 N. Bank Lane. It's a few blocks
from the LF Metra station, and parking is free in the nearby lot.
Filed under: Thrift shops
Tags: resale, resale shop in Lake Forest, thirft shop, upscale
