Second Time Around

Located in downtown Union City, the secondhand store Second Time Around doesn’t hold sales, simply because they keep their prices low year-round. 

The classic home decor store contains three full rooms filled with household furnishings, smaller items and collectibles like comic books and antiques.

Ever since Owner Jeannie Nichols opened in 2006, the store has had three locations. Its current location, 26 South Main Street, is in the former downtown sporting goods shop. Most of the inventory is purchased from household auctions, so there are lamp shades, holiday decor, chairs, end tables and hutches galore.

Second Time Around caters to the community by aiming to purchase durable items. For those who live within walking distance in nearby apartment buildings, it’s one of the best-kept secrets in Union City, because Manager Teresa Camilli often hears people say, “I furnished my entire house from this store.” Many people let her know they’ve restarted their lives at Second Time Around — from moving to starting college and other life happenings — with dishes, TVs, furniture, clothing and books. 

“So many people come in and exclaim, ‘I never knew there was a secondhand store in this area!” Cammilli said. There are a few in the neighborhood, and the similar shops promote each other, especially when lake tourists who love to thrift come to town.

Keeping it green is part of the store’s mission. “We are encouraging people to repurpose and reuse items instead of going to big box stores to buy new,”  Cammilli said. Born and raised in Union City, and an art teacher with two daughters, Camilli furnished her entire house from secondhand stores and yard sales, developing a strong sense of giving back. “I’ve made it my personal mission to provide people in the community with the ability to buy quality items for less,” she said.

One customer’s grandfather used to work for the Union City Chair Company. The customer recalled that he made a little roll-top desk for her mother, and when she saw it at Second Time Around, she exclaimed, “Ohmigoodness, this belonged to my mother!” When they flipped over the desk, her mother’s name was written on it, clear as day. She was so grateful, Cammilli said, that she paid double the price.

Another customer was going out to dinner that night and not only found an outfit, but also matching shoes — a meant-to-be find indeed.

Second Time Around is open Wednesday, Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and is closed Sunday, Monday, Tuesday and Thursday. Even though the store is cash only, there is an ATM down the street, so Second Time Around can put a hold on an item till later in the day when the customer returns.