Jim Peed enjoys coming upon an unexpected find, and considered his first visit to the Habitat Home Store "an utter discovery."
The 79-year-old furniture designer recently went to the thrift store at the request of Habitat for Humanity volunteer Charles Jeffers, who wanted Peed's opinion on some donated furniture.
"I was struck by what's available at the Home Store," said Peed, a former Drexel executive who has been designing furniture for 56 years.
"I was enthusiastic about some of the things I saw. If I were still acquiring furniture, there's no doubt I would buy some of these pieces, either for our house or maybe just to use for inspiration."
While inspecting a chest, Peed came across an intriguing retailer's label on the side of a drawer.
The label, which includes an image of a horse-drawn hearse, is an advertisement for "N.J. Bronberg Undertaker and Dealer in Furniture, Upholstery, Picture Frames, Looking Glasses, Moldings, Curtains ... North Side Main Street, Essex, Iowa."
Peed explained that at the time the chest was made, around 1875, furniture stores often incorporated undertaking services, at least the ordering of coffins.
The Habitat Home Store sells donated furniture, appliances, books, kitchenware, toys and other items to raise funds to help support Habitat for Humanity's home-building program in Catawba County. Most items are used, although new pieces are occasionally added to the mix.
Donations come from individuals and businesses.
"We've gotten everything from pet ashes to Tiffany jewelry and glass," said Terry Pharo, the Home Store's assistant manager.
"We've got customers who come in twice a day, every day. Some come in to socialize as much as they do to shop. It's a fun place."
See Monday's Hickory Daily Record for Peed's comments about select pieces of furniture.
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