Visit the newly opened Encore Exchange, a unique 2nd hand/collectible store in a large warehouse at 847 N. Stone (south of Speedway, SW corner of E. 2nd St. and Stone). Fellow blogger Charlie Spillar (“Artistic Tucson”) discovered this gem of a place, and took the photos for this article.

exterior of Encore Exchange, courtesy of Charlie Spillar

Don Vick, the founder/CEO gave me a personal tour recently and his story about the building and his vision for this “original, 2nd hand store with character” is fascinating.

The building itself was the 1941 Beaudry car dealership, then turned into a laundry dry cleaning business, then bought by Don in 1995, when he moved here from San Antonio, TX. He leased it to the Celestial Skate Park for 5 years, then to Empire Customs (hot rod & motorcycle shop) for another 5 years.

And now his dream of a collectible/thrift shop has come to fruition, with the goal to assist 11 non-profits, primarily Mentor Kids USA and also:

Showcase room, courtesy of Charlie Spillar

Arabian Oasis
Crisis Pregnancy Center
Community Renewal
Eagle’s Wings of Grace
4 Tucson
Gospel Rescue Mission
Street Light Ministry
Teen Challenge
Tucson Refugee Ministry
Wayfarer Center

Don has a passion for helping kids, and told me that proceeds from the Encore Exchange store go to these non-profits after their operating expenses.

The store is filled with furniture, books, collectibles, antique golf clubs (from 1920’s), picture frames, dishes, toys, etc. In the showcase room (with a red ceiling) there is an actual working Victrola, a surveying transit from the late 1800’s, old glass bottles, a jeweler’s wooden table, porcelain gas stoves, and lots more.

But the most amazing find is a gorgeous pewter chess set complete with a circus wagon to hold the intricate pieces, and 2 zebras –a true buy for only $2500. See the photo below.

pewter chess set & wagon with zebras, courtesy of Charlie Spillar

Just outside of the showcase room is a cool water fountain built from rocks, shells, driftwood, etc. which greets customers as they enter. There’s even a Hawaiian palm frond hat nearby for the tropical oasis feeling.

Outside the store is a 1938 Ford ice truck which once delivered ice blocks for ice boxes (replaced by today’s modern day refrigerator). And Don is building a sign for the front, from 1000 (or so) plastic recycled Sobe bottles, using the bottom of the bottles facing out. Another project is to create a stained glass exterior up on the metal awning outside the front of the store…when he has time.

Store hours (open every day):
Monday to Saturday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Sunday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

For more information or to donate items contact Don Vick at 520-869-2961 (cell) or dvick7@gmail.com.

Most of us take living in a home for granted. Consider the 90,000 homeless in Los Angeles, as depicted in the recent movie “The Soloist”, about a talented former Julliard musician suffering from mental illness. Or think about the approximately 500 homeless teens living somewhere on the streets of Tucson.

I used to volunteer years ago at Travelers Aid, but the enormity of the problems faced by the homeless burned me out. I can only admire those who continue such tough work. The brother of a former friend of mine is homeless due to his drug addition to “ice. “ He used to be gainfully employed as an engineer, with a wife and two children, and a nice home. That’s all gone now.

Homeless deserve our respect as much as anyone else. It’s hard for them, especially since some in our society think they choose that lifestyle. For many, being on the streets is a way to escape domestic violence and sexual abuse. However they got there, this group of people are now home-less, without a house to live in, without basic shelter.

Agencies helping the homeless in Tucson: Primavera Foundation, 623-5111; Gospel Rescue Mission, 622-3495; Traveler’s Aid of Tucson, Inc. 622-8900.

For homeless teens, the group to call is Youth on Their Own (YOTO) at 293-1136 (www.yoto.org).  They are having a Charity Bowling Tournament on July 11, sponsored by the Arizona Roofing Contractors Association. Call now to participate and help.