Charity stores
Economy Shop
103 S. Grove, Oak Park; 708-383-2449
Hours: Usually open for sales only three days a month: often the second and third Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and one Thursday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Evening sales once during the fall and again in the spring. Call to find out when the next sale day is.
The selection: Just about anything you can think of.
Donations: Accepted August through June-8 a.m. to noon Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday at the South Boulevard door. No donations taken in on sale days. Will pick up large and heavy items. Must inspect furniture prior to pick up.
Supports: Hephzibah Children’s Association, Oak Park & River Forest Day Nursery, the Children’s Clinic, Family Service & Mental Health Center of Oak Park and River Forest, Senior Citizens Center of Oak Park and River Forest, and Animal Care League
Brown Elephant Resale Shop
217 Harrison, Oak Park; 708-445-0612
Hours: 11 a.m. -7 p.m. every day
The selection: Furniture, clothing, housewares and books.
Donations: You can drop off items whenever the store is open. For large items that require pickup, call 773-549-5943. Will not accept television sets, toys, stuffed animals or baby furniture.
Salvation Army Thrift Store
6536 Roosevelt Road, Oak Park; 708-848-1181
Hours: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday-Saturday
The selection: Clothes, furniture, housewares, television sets
Donations: 9 a.m.-7:30 p.m. Monday-Saturday. Does not want books, medical equipment, metal desks, ping pong tables, console televisions, play pens. For large items, call 312-738-4367 or 888-574-2587 to arrange pickup.
Animal Care League 2nd Chance Shop
159 S. Oak Park Ave., Oak Park; 708-383-9660
Hours: 11 a.m. -5 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday, Saturday; 11 a.m. -7 p.m. Thursday, Friday; 11 a.m. -3 p.m. Sunday
The selection: clothing, jewelry, small household goods
Donations: You can drop off items whenever the store is open. Can take in only small items such as dishes, purses, housewares and jewelry. Does not accept furniture or television sets.
Consignment stores
Fashions Anew
183 S. Oak Park Ave., Oak Park; 708-848-0120
Hours: 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday and Thursday; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday
The selection: Designer women’s apparel and accessories. Good source for St. John knits.
What and when to drop off: Only accepts goods with brand-name recognition. You can bring in items whenever the store is open.
Consignment agreement: If the item sells in nine weeks, the split is 50-50. Payment is by check and you must come into the store to pick up the check. If an item doesn’t sell in that time, it’s returned or given to charity.
La Femmena
1022 North Blvd., Oak Park; 708-386-8830
Hours: 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday, Thursday; 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday
The selection: Women’s designer clothes, shoes, purses, jewelry and furs.
What and when to drop off: Only accepts designer labels. Clothing should gently used and no more than three years old. You can bring in items only by appointment.
Consignment agreement: If the item sells in 90 days, the split is 50-50 and payment is made at the end of that period.
O Joy
823 S. Oak Park Ave., Oak Park; 708-383-3437
Hours: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday; 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday; noon -5 p.m. Sunday.
The selection: Clothing for children as old as 12, kids’ furniture, DVDs, CDs and children books
How to drop off: By appointment
Consignment agreement: If an item sells, the split is 60-40, with the store taking the larger share. Checks are sent out three months after the sale.
It’s Sew You
807 Garfield, Oak Park; 708-383-3551
Hours: 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday; noon-6 p.m. Friday; 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday, but 2-6 p.m. the first Saturday of the month; noon-5 p.m. Sunday
The selection: Gently used clothing in women’s larger sizes. Some new clothes and accessories. Alterations can made on the premises at companion business, Sew Particular.
How to drop off: By appointment
Consignment agreement: Split is 50-50. Payment made at the end of the month.
Music resale
Chicago Digital
905 S. Oak Park Ave., Oak Park; 708-383-1870
Hours: Noon-6 p.m. Monday-Wednesday; noon-8 p.m. Thursday-Friday; 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday
The selection: Wide range of CDs, with concentration in jazz, classical and music of the ’60s, ’70s and ’80s.
What and when to sell: “I will buy pretty much any weird thing,” says owner Chris Miller. “I’m always buying. There’s never a day that I’m not buying.”
Oak Park Records
179 S. Oak Park Ave., Oak Park 708-524-2880
Hours: 11a.m.-7 p.m. Monday-Saturday; 11a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday
The selection: Mostly rock and pop, not as much jazz. Sells VHS movies for 49 cents.
What and when to sell: Used records, cassettes, VHS tapes, CDs, DVDs-everything except 8-tracks and 78s. To sell, go in before 6 p.m.
The Old School Records
7446 W. Madison, Forest Park; 708-366-7588
Hours: 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Tuesday-Friday; 11a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday; noon-5 p.m. Sunday
The selection: R&B, jazz and unusual rock on both CD and vinyl
What and when to sell: Not interested in classic pop, easy listening or soundtracks. To sell, go in an hour before closing.
Val’s halla Records
239 Harrison, Oak Park; 708-524-1004
Hours: 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday-Saturday; 11 a.m.-5 p.m Sunday
The selection: “Every single kind of music the world has ever made,” say owner Val Camilletti.
What and when to sell: The preferred formats are LPs, cassettes, CDs and DVDs. These can be brought in from noon to 5 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Friday and Saturday. Other formats, such as 8-tracks and 45s, can be reviewed and bought selectively. And vinyl is bought only when it’s in perfect condition. For these, call for an appointment.
Books resale
The Book Table
1045 Lake, Oak Park; 708-386-9800
Hours: 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday-Saturday; 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday
The selection: Oak Park’s independent bookstore sells used books in addition to new books. Jason Smith, one of the owners, buys used books anytime the store is open, but is particular about what he will buy. It’s best to call ahead to see he’s available. Payment is in cash or store credit.
What and when to sell: Smith is most interested in books about art, photography, architecture, history, science (but not nature) and in literary fiction, mysteries and scholarly press books. He will also buy rare and antiquarian books in good condition.
