Used Furniture – Good Furniture Finds

Crossing the Jordan

3403 Santa Rosa Ave.

(707) 588-9388

Crossing the Jordan appears at first glance to be like every other thrift store; racks of rejected clothes, toys with no children to love them and VHS films no one will play again. However, as you round the corner into the store’s secondary room you’ll see an army of furniture ranging from worn to wonderful. Hand-carved desks, particleboard TV cabinets and couches galore grace the floors of the shop. Almost all furniture at the store is under $100 and usually a step up from some of the things you’ll find at IKEA for three times the price.

These deals are perpetuated further by their daily deals; each day of the week Crossing the Jordan offers deals for specific groups within the community. Military Monday is 15 percent off for veterans and Student Tuesday is 15 percent off for students. There’s also BOGO Wednesday, Senior Thursday, 25 percent off for seniors, Facebook Friday, 10 percent off for those who have liked their Facebook page and Dollar Saturday. Crossing the Jordan is run by a charity for at-risk and impoverished families in the area and has a website where you can order clothing and learn more about their mission.

–Devin Schwarz, A&E Editor

Vintage Clothing

Hot Couture

101 3rd St.

(707) 528-7247

Hot Couture isn’t your run-of-the-mill thrift shop. What makes this vintage boutique exceptional is the unique approach owner Marta Koehne uses to fashion each ensemble. Some garments and accessories are for purchase and others are kept in a clandestine alcove strictly for costume rentals.

If you’re looking for a 1890s-1980s come up, Koehne outfits the couture fashionista within you.  Koehne strives to ensure customers are comfortable in their style. She encourages clients to try on items until they find the perfect fit, then she’ll embellish on top of that.

Don’t bother scouring the emporium for last year’s clothes. Hot Couture only sells 35-years-and-older vintage clothing. Koehne said she won’t show anything newer than 1980 in the shop.

Koehne uses this era’s formula because that’s when fashion seems to go full circle and become popular again. For instance, pre-shoulder pad ‘80s is very popular right now. She buys and sells as old as she can get it; they have items as old as the 1890s Victorian age.

A key component to Hot Couture’s timeless vintage apparel is Koehne’s tagging system. Because sizing has changed dramatically in the past few decades, Koehne tags each garment by identifying in which decade the items were manufactured.

Koehne encourages customers to try on any items they like. She measures each individual client, leading them to the perfect find. “We only carry two sizes; your size and not your size,” she said.

Koehne handles vintage fashion this way so she doesn’t become bored. Hot Couture was established 33 years ago and has been in the same location ever since. “I never want to get bored, so I switch things up on a regular basis to keep things exciting,” Koehne said. Outlandish themes like ‘Cirque de Freak’ and the ‘Edwardian Ball’ are her favorite.

-Courtney Paige, Web Editor and Assistant A&E Editor

Used Books

Treehorn Books                                         

625 4th St.                                      

(707) 596-3845

Despite the advancements of Kindle and other online sources, many people still prefer a physical book to curl up with in the evening. And there’s no better place to get one then Treehorn.

Tucked into a small shop, a stone’s throw from Barnes and Noble at 625 4th St., what Treehorn lacks in store size, it makes up for in verity. Emphasizing on used books, bookworms will find old treasures in every genre, from thick novels to children’s picture books. There’s even an extensive graphic novel section for comic fans. Those looking for new releases will be happy to know Treehorn also has the latest best-sellers available for purchase.

-Alex T. Randolph

Vinyl

The Last Record Store

1899 Mendocino Ave.

(707) 525-1963

Vinyl records are one of the oldest audio formats in the world, from old phonographs of the 1900s to the early radio disk jockeys of the ‘70s. Vinyl was the primary music format until CDs in the ‘80s, then MP3s in the ‘90s and then music steaming sites in the 2000s.

So what is the next format craze? Why, vinyl of course! With vinyl records making a comeback, why not get some at your local record store?

In fact, it’s the last record store in Santa Rosa. The Last Record Store, named after Little Feat’s “The Last Record Album,” opened in January 1983 and has survived other record stores, including one that inspired owners Doug Jayne and Hoiyt Wilhelm to open theirs.

Located on Mendocino Avenue near Santa Rosa Junior College, it has a wide selection of vinyl records of both new and old artists. Techno, RNB, classic and jazz; they have it all.

They also buy vinyl records if you want to make money from old records you don’t listen to or if you don’t have a record player. They resell them for as low as $1.25 or as high as $2.99.

If vinyl is not your thing, you can buy CDs from local bands & mainstream artists. With a wide selection of music and knowledgeable staff, it’s a great place for music and vinyl lovers alike.

-Arthur Gonzalez-Martin