By Susan Elise Campbell
For decades, The Bargain Box thrift and consignment store has been a place to hunt for treasure and shop affordably in South Glens Falls. The store has been woman-owned and operated since its beginning more than 50 years ago.
“A woman started it in Ballston Spa and a few years later, in 1973, my aunt bought the business. I took it over from her in 2014,” said current owner Leslie Marciano.
Marciano has “been in love with the store, the people and the work” since she helped out her aunt on Saturdays as a teenager.
“I would come home with lots of clothes for my pay and think, this is so cool,” she said.
Thrift and consignment stores offer affordable, gently used merchandise. For some, thrifting is like hunting for treasure, according to Marciano.
“Someone may be looking to match a piece of clothing, piece together a costume, or maybe to ‘dress’ their new home,” she said.
In addition to clothing, The Bargain Box offers a variety of décor, small appliances, picture frames, personal care items, jewelry, vintage items, small furniture, and more.
“The store is great for college students or new renters on a tight budget,” Marciano said. “And we always have 50 percent off on select tickets.”
The Bargain Box has a loyal customer base and Marciano describes the store as “a community gathering place where people can shop and hang out with friends and family.”
“Our regulars and locals are so important to thrift stores in the community,” she said. “We all strive to do our best to provide affordable merchandise, a friendly atmosphere, and for us, a fun place to shop.”
“It is a tight-knit community here in South Glens Falls,” she said. “We look out for one another.”
Marciano said that her “whole life was as a caregiver” to her mother, family members and strangers before she began working in the public realm.
“Coming here I’ve gotten to know my regulars,” she said. Customers share their stories with her and they have “become like an extension” of her family, Marciano said.
She enjoys providing “old school customer service” and takes “pride in every aspect of the work.”
Marciano said, “I have always loved being my own boss and working at my own pace.”
To be a success running this kind of business, she said one needs a sense of style and the ability to see the potential in every item accepted.
“You definitely need organizational skills, bookkeeping, to be personable, and to listen to your customers,” she said. “Be compassionate, friendly, patient, and have a sense of humor.”
Marciano said she is “good at organizing” and enjoys staging and making things look appealing to customers.
She believes in being “fluid and marketable and having the ability to change with the times. It’s a lot of work and it doesn’t end when the doors close.”
Marciano works alone for the most part. She has no employees but said a few friends volunteer “to get out of the house” to help her.
One challenge for Marciano is “trying to stay in that sweet spot for pricing. It’s easy to sell higher-end things in Saratoga for decent prices, but here the price is lower and will take longer to sell.”
She said another challenge is to know when to stop taking merchandise so the shop is not overfull.
The Bargain Box has been on Main Street for more than 30 years and customers have asked her if she might expand.
“The jury is still out,” she said.
Her advice to new business owners is, “do your homework. It takes a while to get something going and location is key.”
Recently she learned that National Grid has a program for woman-owned businesses. This allowed her to change out all the light fixtures in the store for free.
Marciano donates unsold items to local charities and pet shelters, and to people who come to the store to pick the Free Bin, she said. Last year she donated 60-70 prom dresses to South Glens Falls High School for the girls who could not afford them.
“I love what I do and am so proud to carry on my family’s store,” said Marciano. “I take pride in every aspect of my work here and I hope it shows.”
Visit The Bargain Box at Midtown Plaza, 110 Main Street, Tuesdays through Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m.