“We’ve been here in Pitman since March and before that we were in Williamstown for four years,” said Chic But Cheap owner Phil Butler of his thrift store on Broadway. “There, we didn’t get a lot of foot traffic and they stopped letting us put stuff outside, so we decided to come here and it has been phenomenal. We get all different people from here in town as well as Haddonfield, Collingswood and Mullica Hill who are here visiting their favorite stores and restaurants.”

Butler, of Winslow Township, said another population he hopes the store will attract is the Rowan University student community.

“We have lamps, furniture, things college students could use for their dorms and apartments,” said Butler. “I think the borough has been trying to get students to come here for a while because it would be good for all the local businesses and I think it would be great for us too.”

Butler said most customers come in to look around at the selection of jewelry, collectibles, DVDs and more, but some come in looking for specific items like hutches, desks or even pots and pans.

“My wife, Margaret, and I did a lot of flea markets over the last 10 years, so we accumulated items that way and we also go to auctions and buyouts,” said Butler. “We’ve been doing it so long that we know what people like and we have a lot of unusual things that might be hard to find elsewhere.”

Chic But Cheap has antique and modern pieces of jewelry and accessories, including a selection of silver items. It also features clocks, lamps, posters, CDs and more. Butler said the store is able to stay competitive with antique stores and sites like eBay because of the prices of items.

“We’re charging half of what you’d spend if you went into an antique store, and as for household items, you can come out of here with pots and pans and things to start your kitchen for $20,” said Butler. “After furniture, jewelry is probably our biggest seller. People tell me our prices are very good.”

Chic but Cheap is located at 17 S. Broadway and is open Monday through Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Thursday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Friday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

“I think there’s a trend of a lot more thrift stores and consignment shops opening because people just don’t have the money to spend at department stores anymore,” said Butler. “If you’re looking for a good product but you’re tight on money, this is the place to come. We even have a lot of kids’ toys here, which is a big help for parents who don’t have a lot to spend.”

To learn more about Chic But Cheap, visit the store or call (856) 341-0431.

Read Original Article Here
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
By Jessica Driscoll
jdriscoll@sjnewsco.com