news-record.com

GREENSBORO -- Mechelle Lindenberg sees her new resale store as a win-win for customers.

Not only do you save some green, but you also play a role in the green movement by buying used items.

"These are clothes that are being re-used," Lindenberg said in her new store, Mechelle's Resale Shoppe, which opens Saturday. "So it's a green business."

Looking to sell? Lindenberg will give you half of the selling price for your items on consignment.

Keep in mind she's looking for a particular style. She'll consider making you an offer by appointment only.

"I don't want to get hung up on labels per se, but it's a look," said Lindenberg, who has done weight-loss and fashion consulting.

"It's a boutiquey look. It needs to have a certain flair to it."

If you're just looking to buy, Lindenberg has plenty of deals on brand-name clothing.

She pulled a shirt off the rack as an example.

"Say you went to Nordstrom's and you bought this Chaudry shirt with the beading on it," she said. "This shirt would cost you $78. I'm selling it for $15. And, sure, it's consigned. But it's in great shape."

Lindenberg also sells brand-name jeans and accessories, including fabric by the yard, shoes, jewelry, upholstered chairs and ottomans.

The store is at 301 State St., Suite E, two doors from Cafe Pasta. Hours are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. Phone number is 574-4496.

* * * * * *

Save on some clothes and a cup of joe while you're at it.

Goodwill's store at 5301 Samet Drive at Wendover Crossing in High Point is opening a café-style coffee shop today.

During the grand opening, customers who donate to Goodwill get a $1 off coupon toward their purchase at Edgar's Coffee.

Prices will range from a 12-ounce cup of coffee for a buck to a 20-ounce smoothie for $3.75.

The coffee shop is a first for Goodwill Industries of Central North Carolina. It will be operated by Goodwill staff.

It's named after Edgar J. Helms, who founded Goodwill in Boston more than 100 years ago.

* * * * * *

Hobby lovers have another place to shop in the Triad.

Hobby Lobby, which sells crafts, hobbies, picture frames, fabrics and other wares, opened Monday in Alamance Crossing.

It joins a growing number of new stores that have opened in the 142-acre shopping center, which is at Interstate 85/40 and University Drive in Burlington.

Other stores that have recently opened or are coming soon include American Eagle, Brixx Pizza, Lifeway Christian, Mattress Firm, Verizon Wireless, Diva Spa Nails, Bank of America and Wachovia.

* * * * * *

Last week I asked for your best advice on being frugal for a chance to get a copy of the Microsoft Office home and student edition software for the Mac.

Valerie Senning of Greensboro gets the nod for developing a way to clean the bathroom using old products.

She takes old toothpaste tubes and clips off the end with scissors. She then uses an old toothbrush to dip into the leftover paste to scrub the grout.

She swears by it.

"It works wonderfully," Senning told me in an e-mail.

Added bonus?

"Everything smells minty clean."

Senning offered some other useful money-saving tips. Check them out at my blog, Bargain Blog.

* * * * * *

Sign up for my Twitter feed at www.twitter.com/bargainblog.

Do you have retail news or shopping tips for Savvy Shopper? Contact Mike Fuchs at 373-3465 or michael.fuchs@news-record.com.