The thrill of the hunt: 1 Emporium is full of random stuff you never knew you needed
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1 Emporium Charlotte
I got a large postcard in the mail on Monday with a photo of a stark storefront on one side and an enthusiastic animated #1 on the other inviting me to come buy new products at steep discounts. I love steep discounts and odd advertising so I decided to investigate.
I had no trouble at all finding the place on Monroe Road because, true to its word, 1 Emporium is exactly as advertised on the card…
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The store is much bigger than its inventory, which is sourced from multiple different vendors. Any idea where products you return to a store that can’t be resold (due to damaged packaging or a number of other factors) end up? Places like this.
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The cashier, whose name is Reality for real, explained to me they’re basically “everything but cosmetics” and they get new shipments all the time. I mention I’m always on the hunt for furniture and she says a new truckload is coming in on Friday. My deal hunter radar is officially on.
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This kind of treasure hunt shopping style doesn’t appeal to most people, but my fellow consigners and garage salers who love the thrill of a good surprising find can relate. Rather than waste hours searching for specific items I know I want, I keep my shopping standards low and exploratory until I happen upon a lucky find I didn’t even know I needed. It’s more fun that way. Plus, getting what you want requires knowing what you want and I rarely know. (This is perhaps a metaphor for my whole entire life that a therapist is going to have to deal with one day.)
Without visiting 1 Emporium, how would I have ever known about this handheld disinfecting steamer or a bloomin’ onion maker? It’s all about the chase, my friends.
Like any hodgepodge store, there’s a mix of treasure and trash depending on who’s looking. I was pretty impressed by the stand-up paddleboard, vacuum cleaners and furniture. One side table (identical to items I’ve been eyeing at Home Goods) was marked $40 (down from $90).
I’m not saying it’s for everybody, but if you’re down for the hunt, add 1 Emporium to your list.
