By Clyde Noel

During this economic downturn the Home Consignment Center, in downtown Los Altos, receives more foot traffic than any other downtown retail location. On busy weekends customers buy incoming furniture right off the delivery truck.

“I come in once a week to look for any unique items on the floor,” said Pat McCarty of Palo Alto. “The stuff in here you won’t find in a department store and it’s good quality. I bought a coal scuttle in here today, and I don’t know if it’s an antique, but it sure looks old.”

Manager Peggy Stevenson has worked at the store five years. “I was one of those customers that came in every week. The manager asked if I wanted a job because it would be easier if I worked here.”

Stevenson said the store offers high-quality, lightly used upholstered furniture, fine antiques and an ever-changing selection of dining room sets, Asian pieces, wicker and rattan, oil paintings and accessories.

“It’s a fun job and never boring. You meet people from all walks of life,” Stevenson said. “Everyone is looking for something different.”

Where do all the interesting furniture, china and crystal come from?

Stevenson receives most of the shop’s merchandise from individual consignors.

“People are downsizing right now, and they are bringing in excess furniture,” Stevenson said. “People come from the East who lived in a bigger house. That mansion back East turns into a little place here and we get a lot of their furniture on consignment.”

Items come in every day, some direct from manufacturers. Other sources include model homes, corporate apartments and local craftsmen who create one-of-a-kind quality furniture.

“We had a house in Saratoga. The people brought in furniture that was mostly antique,” Stevenson said. “Each piece was documented and valuable. There were sideboards from the 1700s and New England tables from the 1800s that could seat 10 people comfortably. We put a price of $6,000 on the table, and it sold immediately.”

Stevenson and the staff, mostly Los Altos residents, determine whether a piece is an antique. They work from experience but also get expert advice from Kirk Peters, a former downtown antique dealer.

“An antique is supposed to be more than 100 years old, but you are at the mercy of the consignor,” employee Mary Carson said. “That’s why we always want documentation.”

McCarty purchased an armoire and a sideboard from the store last year. She wasn’t sure whether they were antique, but they were old and she was pleased with the quality.

Who are typical customers? People who have second homes, clients who enjoy changing the look of their home and those who can’t pass up a bargain.

Prices are set by the staff based on their experience. Generally, items are 50 percent to 70 percent off retail. Stevenson also has catalogs she can refer to if an item is old and unique.

The Home Consignment Center is located at 400 Main St. and is open seven days a week. For more information, call 917-8526.