PHOTO: Scott Martin, Emerson Photographic - Events.org

What’s for “Re-Sale”?Deborah BarryWhether you are the family historian, enjoy a great value or simply love the lure of objects with a story all theirown, Highland Park offers a range of goods that are gently used to genuinely antique, with a bit of reproductionhere and a dash of retro there. Just browsing is sure to bring a smile to your face or a drop to your jaw. Andif you’re looking for unique gifts, this is a special kind of retail that will have you re-telling the adventure ofyour acquisitions. In this issue and the next, six00threefive is conducting a tour of the shops that specialize inthings previously owned. The purveyors—and the items themselves—tell some of the best stories in town.When Sheila Masloski found andHADASSAH HOUSEbought a book on the art of quilting1724 First St.20 years ago at Hadassah House, she847-433-6350also found her passion for fabric artSunday-Friday, 10-5, closedcreations. Since then, she hasSaturdaysscoured its apparel racks and linenstacks—not for just the right size, but for just the right colors to complete herfabrications. “Quilting has an accidental quality to it; it’s an old-fashioned wayto recycle. This place is an inspiration.” Hadassah House, the resale shop runby the North Shore Chapter of Hadassah, which raises funds for hospitals,medical care and research in Israel, is the top fundraiser for the chapter.The shop meets the needs of low-income families. Items, most donatedby North Shore residents, are priced as low as 10% of retail. But hobbyistslove the raw materials: pottery and china is shattered to make mosaics;jewelry is taken apart to be made into new pieces; and of course, Sheilatakes designer silk ties and cotton dress shirts to cut and stitch into quilts.Hadassah House volunteers (from left) Sari Isaacson, BeaGerstel and Lana Eisenberg, and customer Sheila Masloskiwith one of her quilts; all are from Highland Park.The shop is also a great source for teachers, many of whom spend theirown money to supplement school supplies with yarns, buttons, children’sbooks and games. One Wilmette couple regularly works its way up theNorth Shore’s second-hand stores; it never misses Hadassah House.Just as loyal are the donors, whose dropped off contributions often pileright up to Hadassah House’s ceiling. Start with men’s and women’sclothing (some with the original tags and all beautifully sorted for size),original yarn apparel made by a 100-year-old patron who “knits for Israel”and gently used children’s books and clothing. Goods fill the two-storybuilding: There is always a great selection of furniture, silver, crystal, finechina, housewares, artwork and books—many items are as little as 50cents. With a special section for designer labels (Ralph Lauren, Ellen Tracy,Eileen Fisher, DKNY, Anne Klein) and, of course, shoes and bags to match,Hadassah House is “haggle friendly.” But for the best buys of the year, jointhe mailing list for announcements of the twice-annual clearance; all youcan fit into a grocery bag costs just $10.Manager Wayne Schnider and paid employees work with volunteersand a dedicated committee: Lana Eisenberg, Bea Gerstel (both of HighlandPark), Harold Swirsky, Sylvia Callistein, Arlene Peskin and chairman GildaMoss. Sari Isaacson, a Highland Parker, is their window designer.We heard: From a volunteer: “Real fur is biodegradable; you can’t saythat about man-made fur.”Top picks: Smadar Livne soft wall sculpture, $2200. SFA Blackglamathree-quarter length jacket, $500; black Armani jacket, $25.You might think there’d be a rivalry between Hadassah House and the ORTValue Center, but Assistant Manager Charlotte Dolins-Lozano says, “Wevisit each other’s stores for reality checks on pricing, and we have differentspecialties.” When she first came to work at the store, a framed poster withHebrew lettering was brought in. “One of our customers is a rabbi. I askedhim to translate the poster. It said, “Awarded by Hadassah.’”The best experts always are the customers, according to Charlotte; theyknow what’s what and how much it should cost. “We know most of ourregular shoppers by names, like the bar ‘Cheers.’” During our visit, a steadystream of both donors and customers came through the doors. A number ofcustomers were heard to bargain, and the staff listened!PHOTOS: Deborah Barry, Wordspecs24 / Holiday 2006