Post #367733 by Xndr du Sauvage on Tue, Mar 18, 2008 11:03 AM

I've found probably 20 tiki mugs in thrift stores in the Atlanta area, practically all modern though. There just doesn't seem to be much in the way of classic castoffs here as in other places like Southern California. We seem to have a much better chance of finding classic things in the Florida vein however. I have better luck with vinyl, but the condition is so rarely perfect with exotica. Other than a few prizes, most of the Martin Denny I find in thrift stores looks like it had a great run in somebody's lounge, and probably got thrown across the room a few times. Its so rare to find those perfect gems anymore.

The theory posted above about thrift store locations is a good one, but there are a few other factors I think that can vary within areas. Thrift stores near affluent areas may have good donations, but some chains, like Goodwill, also have central distribution warehouses which bring the goods from all over. Also, those stores may not have the same traffic as stores in poorer areas with customers that live nearby and shop there for convenience. The affluent places may have more people after stylish and collectible stuff.

My favorite ones are (now) in mixed areas, and are a little out of the way from hip city centers. The ones not yet discovered. All mine! (Almost - the other day a gentleman searched the 45s moments before me and got the Strangeloves "I Want Candy". He was a nice guy though so we could talk about other finds).