about
Elaine
Picker/Owner
Growing up in the suburbs of Detroit I remember shopping with my family at Flea Markets, Garage Sales, and Thrift Stores. Every once in awhile my Dad will go solo and come home with bags of items that looked like he went to a Department Store. I remember asking him where he goes shopping and he always answers (in a heavy filipino accent) "At my Store"! Because I was too young to remember I did not realize he meant the Thrift Stores!
Fast forward as we moved to Sterling Heights, we found a new stomping ground for us to hang out - it was called Gibralter. Hundreds of vendors lined up selling perishable to non perishable goods, from new to old, from battery cards to cigarettes. I even enjoyed eating pizza, hot dogs, and pretzels! It was like going to a carnival.
Now to Present Day, living in Chicago, going to thrift stores, visiting vintage shops, estate sales, and even dumpster diving is one of my passions. For the 20+ years that I have been living here, it is a leisure for me to rummage through things that I know will add value to my home.