<strong>By Lee Scott</strong>

There are several places in Beaufort that are going to have some incredible merchandise in the near future. Those stores include The St. Frances Center on Lady’s Island, The Treasure House on Boundary Street, Front Porch on Sea Island Parkway, Friends of Caroline Hospice and the Cancer Thrift Store to name just a few.

I know these nonprofits will have wonderful outstanding bargains, because there are so many people in our community who are cleaning out their houses and ready to donate.

With so much time on our hands and abiding by the “stay at home” order and the social distancing, we have all been cleaning out closets, attics, and garages.

Seems like everyone I have talked to lately is filling up their cars and spare bedrooms with clothes, furniture, and knickknacks that they want to donate. But the thrift stores are closed for the time being, and the merchandise just keeps mounting up in our homes.

The donations are going to be bountiful.

Of course, the list of items to donate is endless. Frames, old lamps, and other items that are sitting around collecting dust will become somebody’s treasure. In our cleaning, we not only found an old desk, but several end tables and a lamp that were moved here to Beaufort, but never used.

I can see it now, instead of people lining up outside the grocery stores, there will be lines at the thrift stores with people dropping off their donations. The signs will say “Shelves are full.”

It is not only that we are rummaging through closets, we are also looking at our current bedspreads and sheets and are ready for a change.

Of course, we may all run out of sheets with everyone making face masks, but hang onto those old quilts and towels because the animal shelters will still need them.

There are other stores too that can use your old items. I pulled out some of my old business suits and realized I could have them dry-cleaned and dropped off at a consignment store like “Where’d you get that.”

They may take your items and give you a portion of the sale once they are sold. Even if someone doesn’t want my entire business suit, they might want just the skirt or jacket.

As for the “stuff” not worth donating, there is the Convenience Center which has been very busy. The last time I was there I heard one guy yelling over to another, “Don’t throw that away. I’ll take it.” Another man’s treasure.

So, if you find yourself looking for some good bargains once our thrift stores are opened again, you may discover some wonderful values.

But be prepared, there may be a line at the door.

<i>Lee Scott, a writer and recent retiree, shares her everyday observations about life after career. A former commercial banker responsible for helping her clients to reach their business objectives, Scott now translates those analytical skills to her writings. She lives on St. Helena Island and enjoys boating, traveling and reading.</i>