When she was young, Fish Springs resident Cary Jackson used to go thrift-store shopping with her mother, "back when it wasn't cool," just as Jackson has taken her own daughters, Heidi Ketron and Kelly Degenhart, bargain hunting.
"Almost everything in my house is recycled furniture," Jackson said. "I can point at anything and say what thrift store or consignment store it came from."
After spending more than a year trying to find work in a tough job market, Jackson decided to turn her love of second-hand furniture into a business opportunity. On Friday, she and her two daughters were in the new store in downtown Gardnerville, 2nd Chance Furniture Consignment.
Located next to Woodett's Diner, where Copies Plus used to be, the suite has seen some aesthetic improvements in the last few weeks including new carpet and an interior paint job.
Although 2nd Chance Furniture doesn't officially open until May 15, Jackson was already getting customers on Friday. The store had two dining sets, a leather office chair, a solid oak coffee table and several other pieces. And more loads were coming, Jackson said, anticipating a full showroom for her opening.
"This is a good thing with the economy how it is," she said. "We want people to have quality furniture for a reasonable price."
So far, the response from the community has been positive, Jackson said, from both prospective suppliers and customers.
"People really think we're going to be a success, that this is something we need," she said.
Neither thrift store nor antiques store, 2nd Chance Furniture will fill a niche in the Valley, she said.
"I want people to consider the recycling end of it to," she said.
With the circular arrows of the recycling emblem in her logo, Jackson believes reused furniture is not only more affordable in hard economic times, but is also good for the planet.
A consignment set-up also helps the supplier, she said. Those uncomfortable with showing furniture to strangers in their homes now have a place to go. Jackson offers a straight 50-50 split of proceeds, versus other consignment shops where owners take a larger percentage of sales.
"I can't do it without them, and they can't do it without me," she said.
The store also offers home furnishings, pictures, mirrors and other items, and Jackson indicated she's willing to consider custom work as well. She's already been approached by a few craftsmen and refurbishers.
"I have a list of things I don't take," she said. "I really don't want a lot of antiques because there are plenty around."
In the two empty suites adjacent to her storefront, Jackson sees the potential for future expansion, if her new business takes off the way she wants it to. But for now, she's focusing on filling her current space and hosting a grand opening, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. May 15.
In fact, her niece, Tumbleweeds Gymnastics owner Niki Warren, is planning a gymnastics exhibition in the parking lot. Refreshments will also be served.
Located at 1492 Highway 395, Suite 104, 2nd Chance Furniture's regular business hours are 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. For more information, call 392-1222.
