One person's castoffs are another's decor

The contrast is striking without being cluttered.

In one room there are new leather couches. In the other, vintage Coca-Cola signage hangs from the wall. Owner Al Abrams said the latter simply are “decor” and are not for sale, though.

But most of the items in Renew Decor, which is located at 1382 SE Lund Ave., are available. Abrams said there are differences between what his nearly 3,000-square foot store provides in comparison with other consignment stores.

“We’re trying to be a little bit different than the normal consignment store,” he said. “A lot of our stuff is new. Some of it is consigned and some of it is owned by the store.”

Abrams, 69, who eventually hopes to turn over the store to his grandchildren, said the store is similar to one operated by his sister in St. George, Utah, that he said has been successful. That means anything from moderate to high-end products with one condition.

“We don’t accept anything that is in rough shape or needs to be repaired,” he said, adding that they also do not accept personal items, such as bedding or clothing.

Abrams, who was raised in Seattle, is a veteran businessman — he owned a stationary printing company in the region before selling it and retiring in the late 1980s. Abrams said he applies that acumen to his business.

“I know I would rather pay $675 for a Lane leather reclining chair than $1,300 at one of the furniture store in Silverdale,” he said.

Abrams said many items in the store sell at half or one-third of what a person would pay in a department store even though most of it has not been previously owned.

“They have been on showroom floors,” he said. “You might find a little nick or scratch. If you can put up with that for half off or a third of what it would cost you in a furniture store, this is your place.”

Another popular feature in the Renew Decor is Polish pottery.

“It’s something we intend to have at all times,” he said. “There are a lot of collectors.”

The store also features prints from multiple artists, including Jody Bergsma and Bev Doolittle.

 

Contact Port Orchard Independent Staff Writer Chris Chancellor at cchancellor@portorchardindependent.com or (360) 876-4414.

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