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GREENSBORO — Guilford thrift store owner Lisa Haas has a soft spot for fire victims.

It's easy to see why. Haas still gets choked up when she recalls losing her beloved hound dog Maggie and cats Gracie and Daisy in a house fire two years ago.

You may remember the fire. That's because of local media coverage about firefighters beginning to use canine oxygen masks, which saved her other dog, Oscar.

So, if you've been in a fire and need some help, say no more. Haas knows the economy's bad enough as it is.

"If I have it and they need it, I donate it to them, no questions asked," said Haas, who opened The Bargain House Thrift & Gift in Greensboro in February. "It's tough out there right now."

Many people trying to stretch their dollars, regardless of whether they've been victimized by fire, might find a visit to her three-room store just north of West Wendover Avenue worth the trip.

Heavily discounted items include clothes, jewelry, wallets, watches, sunglasses, furniture and appliances. Examples include a Black & Decker coffeemaker and a new Sharp men's watch for $9.99 each.

Tables are stacked with children's clothes, where items sell for $2.50 and $1 each.

As Haas gave me a tour of her business, customer William Trice was carrying one of three chairs he just bought to his car.

She asked, "You need some help, sweetie?"

"I got it," he said.

"You know," Haas said, "for people that are just starting out, I think my prices on furniture are wonderful."

"Absolutely. I attest," said Trice, who overheard our conversation.

He bought the chairs for $20.

You can also leave the store in style at bargain prices.

In what she calls her boutique room, designer apparel fills a rack and includes a pair of Ann Taylor Loft red and white seersucker Bermuda shorts, which sell for $6.50.

Nine West Westies sling-back high heels are $6.99. A black sequin cocktail or pageant dress sells for $17.99. It includes a purse.

Most of her items are donated and are in good condition. Some of her items are new.

If you donate, you get a "bargain buck" card that's good toward 10 percent off your next purchase.

She also has a "deal of the day" and keeps a "wish list" for items customers are seeking.

She puts her customers in two camps.

"I see a lot of people who come in because they have to come in," she said. "They can't even go to Walmart and buy something new because of the economy. They may not have a job. A lot of my clients are on unemployment right now, so they have to make their dollars stretch."

The others?

"I get a lot of people who just do the thrift shop rotation. They shop at Carolina Thrift, Goodwill, Salvation Army, me. They can afford it."

The Bargain House Thrift & Gift is at 506-A Edwardia Drive. Store hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday.

Her number is 790-8234. More information is available at www.thebargainhouse2.com.

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Once in a while, a reader will ask me about a store I had featured in a previous column.

They'll ask, "What was the name of that store again? Where is it again?"

To make it easier to keep track of stores I've profiled since I began this column in January, I've created a Google maps page that lists the names, addresses, Web sites (if they have one) and links to my column.

You'll find it under the "Links of Interest" section at my blog, Bargain Blog.

Any other stores in the Triad where the deals can't be beat? By all means share with the class.

Send e-mail to michael.fuchs@news-record.com or call 373-3465.

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Become Web savvy. Check out the Bargain Blog at news-record.com.

Also, subscribe to the weekly Bargain Bytes e-newsletter, which is free, at www.news-record.com/bargains.

You can also sign up for my Twitter feed at www.twitter.com/bargainblog.

Contact Mike Fuchs at 373-3465 or michael.fuchs@news-record.com