This blog entry is written by SDBM's "Thrift This!" columnist, Gayle Lynn Falkenthal.

People who love garage sales fit into a special category of bargain shoppers all their own. If you love garage sales like I do, mark your calendar for the weekend of March 13 and 14, 2010. It’s the weekend of the 83rd annual Thursday Club Rummage Sale. Held every spring in Balboa Park, it is the major fundraiser for this social and civic organization.

The sale takes place at the Activity Center at the corner of Park Boulevard and Inspiration Point Way in Balboa Park. Just look for the throngs of people who wouldn’t miss this sale.

When you walk in, it’s hard not to be overwhelmed. It’s like several thousand garage sales in one room the size of a football field. Come prepared for a workout. Wear comfortable clothing and be sure to wear shoes you can walk, run, and stand in comfortably. You’re on a concrete floor and you’ll get worn out faster than you think.

The Thursday Club folks are real pros and the sale is very well organized. Perhaps two-thirds of the items are clothing and they are separated into mens’, womens’, and childrens’ sections, with items like jeans and tees on tables, and shirts and jackets hanging on racks. There is a “gold” section roped off with higher end, designer, and new items.

You’ll also find housewares, toys, appliances, bicycles (but they go VERY quickly), and scads of miscellaneous items. I’ve bought beautiful note cards and gift items.

If you have even a chance of doing serious shopping, take along some large sturdy bags, or better yet some type of cart, even a wagon. You might find yourself carrying around armloads of items and having to check out and come back several times, like I did on my first visit.

You can’t be in a hurry. There is so much to look through, and the check-out lines (especially early Saturday) can be long. It may take you an hour to check out. Hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sunday. Items fall to half-price on Sunday, so you might want to go both days!

Since 1921, the Thursday Club has raised over $1 million for charitable groups in San Diego. Half the proceeds go to organizations in Balboa Park, with the remaining half contributed to other community organizations. A full list plus all the information on the sale is available on the Thursday Club web site. Find me on eBay! I'm seller "gfalke1" - Check out my best bargains offered online to you!
Email: info@falconvalleygroup.com