I cannot believe that it has taken me over two years of "Yelping" to finally critique one of my…read morefavorite pastimes... a schlock store. A "what" you may ask? Let me explain.... Schlock is the Yiddish word for junk or crap. Whenever I would drag my mother to a thrift store, she would walk up and down the aisles and call everything "Schlock." After a life of hand-me -downs, Mom liked to buy things that were new and fresh and she was the first person to be using them, I, however, always in the mindset of a struggling young actor in New York, have spent my entire life going to thrift stores or "shlock" stores for everything from furnishing my home, supplying my desk, filling my clothes closet.. all with schlock. I remember back in the '70s in Greenwich Village buying a real pea coat and a real pair of sailor bell bottoms with the buttons up the sides. Those were so cool. I still wear a fabulous winter wool coat from the 30s that I bought while on tour in Vancouver, Canada along with a fabulous steamer trunk from the 40's.. To this day, one of my favorite items is a antique woolen black and red checkered scarf given to me by the infamous Nathan Lane from a NY shlock store. That's a story for another day! I fell in love with the Hope Chest when I moved to Oak Island. Just a ten minute walk from my house, Hope Chest has a nice variety of clothes and housewares and furniture. You can also find CDs and DVDs, kids clothing, and so much more. Lots of 1/2 prices sales and all prices are good! What I love about all this is that the Hope Chest Thrift store not only supports victims of and advocates prevention of domestic violence, but you earn credit with your purchases. For example, last month they were advertising 50% off everything, I bought around $20 worth of merchandise, it got reduced to $10 and then she told me I had a $9 credit and asked if I wanted to use it? It? In the end I got everything for a dollar and helped support a worthwhile organization. Can you beat it? In the later years my Mom bought a place on Oak Island, and subsequently she softened a little on thrift store bargain hunting and agreed to come with me when I went to the Hope Chest. She even broke down and bought a few items for herself. But no matter how much I bragged about my attractive secondhand table or my sharp looking previously worn tuxedo, Mom would always say as we left Hope Chest, "that place is pure shlock!" That may be so, but I can't wait to get home and try on my new short sleeve shirt for two bucks. Keep up the good work Hope Chest. You're always one of my go-to stops when I'm on the island, shlock and all! Right, Mom?

Hidden gem! What great name brand items and vintage treasures to find. I came in on 50% off day and…read morefilled up three bags! Quality linens and housewares. Friendly employees. Cant wait to come back.

Plastic saran wrap toilet paper rolls for $1.50 and Walmart equate brand Band-Aids for $.97 selling…read morefor $350

After a lengthy conversation with an employee about recommendations on beach tents that were easy…read moreto assemble and held up well in the wind we ended up buying a Neso Grande from beach mart. We appreciated the UV protection it offered as well as our main reason for the purchase was to provide our young daughter some shade. We took it to the beach hours after purchasing only to realize that it was impossible to assemble, even with multiple people assisting, and that the wind appeared to be too much for the poles and sand bags, to handle. We attempted to take it back and were refused a refund by the employee(s) then the owner as they stayed it has "already been on the beach." My husband questioned "how are were supposed to know that it didn't work like we were led to believe had we not taken it to the beach?" but the manager stood firm. Now here we are at the beach, 171 dollars later with a tent we can't utilize. I would expect more from a self proclaimed family owned business. Would not recommend!

Artists, do not even think about consigning your artwork to this shop. Owner Jamie King-Jones does…read morenot honor her contract with artists. Artists have to hound her to receive payment, despite having a contract which states that Mermaid Market Shoppes will issue a check with a printout of the artist's sales at the beginning of the month for the previous month. In the three months I had my photo note cards on display for sale at her shop, I only received one check and no printout of what I had sold. This experience cost me $223.20 in lost sales and $126 for filing a small claims court case. Jamie King-Jones likes to say that she "uplifts" artists. The only uplifting she does is lifting money from artists directly into her pocket.

We sat in the parking lot along with another customer for quite some time after they were supposed…read moreto be open. Eventually, we just gave up and left. If they change their hours, they should post that. We wasted beach time to sit in a lot. It's our anniversary, so we had hoped to buy a large painting or two this trip.

This is a FABULOUS thrift shop! Great variety for men, women and kids including household and even…read moresome furniture. We hit on a day with some great extra sales, which was so fun. Well organized store with a nice staff. Great selection and all to support a cause!

From the owner: We offer new and gently used clothing, housewares, sporting equipment and some furniture for sale…read more We have a large selection of men's, women's, and children's clothing. Every dollar spent in our thrift shops goes to provide tutoring, mentoring, supplies, and education services to students in Brunswick County.

Such a great new store can't wait to bring my friends Such…read morea nice shopping experience I just found a new favorite place to shop

From the owner: New thrift store now open! New and used items with local artists featured throughout the store. New…read morestock weekly. *Love the item but not the price? Make an offer!*

This is our go-to place for anything we need for our house. We will always check here first to see…read moreif they have it, and most times they do! I also have a little free library out front of our house and I always find fantastic books there to restock my shelves. The employees there are all so helpful and friendly, and we always find great items at a great price.

King of the Shlock!…read more One of my favorite pastimes when traveling or having free time is finding the local thrift stores. I remember when I was a singer on Holland America back in the '80s and we would stop every two weeks in Vancouver. I found an amazing steamer trunk in fabulous condition that must have been from the 30's or 40's. I put wheels on that baby and carted her around with me for years when I entertained. I remember when I was playing Billy Bigelow in Carousel in a summer stock in Pennsylvania and the local thrift store in Mansfield had a mink coat for $10. I bought that coat and tried to butch it up and wear it around. It still looked like I was wearing a butched up woman's coat! I eventually gave it away but had fun wearing back in the days when it was stylish and acceptable. To this day I have a fantastic tweed wool winter coat that I found in a thrift store in the east village in New York. That baby has saved my ass in the worst storms. To this day I wear her wear her whenever it's cold. And so, even as I spend my leisure time down on Oak Island in 2023, I still hit the local thrift stores,except now I call them "schlock" stores which my mother nicknamed them. Schlock is the Yiddish word for junk or crap and that's what my mother thought about all of that. She always liked things brand new having come from a family during the depression, where instead I love to find a bargain and something that's quality but broken in. I would have to say from all of the schlock stores in the Oak Island/ Southport area, my favorite is Habitat for Humanity Store. Although they don't have clothes, there, their offerings of furnishings and bedding and sports equipment and kitchenware, etc. is pretty outstanding and well priced Just this past weekend I stopped by and found a wonderful black briefcase for my work for $8 and a colorful outdoor tablecloth for my back porch for $4. I see so many things there that I want, but I have no floor space or wall space left in my house. If I buy something, something else is going to have to go, and that's a tough one for me when most of the things in my house are from family heirlooms or things I really like. In the meantime, it's a relaxing way for me to spend an hour or two, and over the years I have found wonderful things at habitat for humanity. Check out their specials. When I was there Saturday, everything was 50% off! I don't think I could ever go back to paying full price for most things ever again lol. I may not be a child from the depression, but I was the child of a woman who was a child during the depression and so my frugality lives on! Next time you are visiting Oak Island or Southport stop by the habitat for humanity store. The staff is lovely and welcoming, the offerings are plentiful and well priced, and their men's bathroom is the biggest bathroom I have seen anywhere! Lol Happy Hunting!

Thrift store in Shallotte right before Southport. Good selection of items. Friendly staff.read more

Clean, friendly, great selection, reasonably priced, always a score! One in Shallotte and one in…read moreSunSet each has their own flair!

This place is wonderful. Endless variety of items. Older video games that my son loves. The owner…read moreis fantastic and prices are great.

From the owner: Cool Stuff inventory changes daily. Vintage, unusual, and fun items is what we have a flair for…read more Costume Jewlery , art and antique toys. Lamps, tables and vintage drapes, spreads and kitchen items. Collectibles of all types. Fun time to be had by all.. Come visit with us.