Patience pays off at Armadillo Consignment in Broadview

If you blink, you might miss Armadillo Consignment. Located amid rows of apartment buildings in Broadview, the weathered storefront doesn't exactly give a ringing endorsement to what's inside. Which, to paraphrase the two-year-old store's motto, includes new and "experienced" home and clothing "solutions."

Once a neighborhood grocery, the 2,500-square-foot store, has a little bit of everything -- clothing, shoes, furniture and home accessories -- that are tasteful, contemporary, well made and reasonably priced. It's well laid out and easy to browse, not at all jumbled or crammed together.

If modern, midcentury, Danish modern and mission-style furniture are what you're after, add Armadillo to your shopping list. While it doesn't carry a huge selection at any given time, the store is worthy of repeat visits because the furniture is in great condition; you'll constantly find new additions; and you won't be required to surrender your bank account.

Armadillo's consignment period for everything in the store except clothing is roughly 60 days. At 30 days, merchandise is discounted 15 percent; at 45 days, 25 percent and at 60 days, 50 percent. "Everything is priced to move," says owner Wayne Stevens. "Because of space limitations, we're not selling items as much as we're selling space."

While it might seem that you've got only one day to snag the 50-percent-off price, items are often on the floor a bit longer. Consignees are given five days to pick up their items if they don't sell. If they don't pick them up, Stevens donates them to a local charity within a few weeks.

For example, an impressively sized, solid oak mission-style dining room table that could fool your next dinner party as the latest score from Pottery Barn is currently priced at $361.25. If it's still unsold in mid-July, the price goes down to the final 50-percent-off price of $212.50.

Armadillo is scrupulous about the merchandise it accepts, so you won't find scuff marks, missing parts, dents or rips, or upholstered furniture that has been around smokers or pets. The store prefers pieces that are made from mahogany, teak, pine, beech and ash, and discourages IKEA-type furniture and antiques.

When it comes to moving your newly acquired couch or armoire, there's ample parking in front or they will deliver for an extra charge.

You won't find a huge selection of clothing, but what's on the racks is in good condition, mostly work-appropriate apparel from mid- to higher-end labels like Ralph Lauren, Dockers and Van Heusen for men, and Anne Klein, Jones New York and Banana Republic for women. After 60 days, clothing moves to a super sale rack.

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