If you’ve ever lost your luggage while in flight, no worries. Chances are it ended up in Scottsboro, Alabama at the Unclaimed Baggage Center. Unfortunately, it now has a price tag. When compared to other Alabama businesses, or any state business for that matter, the Unclaimed Baggage Center is very unique. Read on to learn what it is that makes this store truly special.
The Unclaimed Baggage Center is a one-of-a-kind store that's been in business since 1970. Doyle Owens, the store's founder, originally purchased unclaimed bags from a local bus station. He eventually expanded his business by purchasing and reselling lost luggage from airlines.
The employees of this 40,000 sq ft store sifts through every single piece of lost luggage and put only the best items on the shelves. The Unclaimed Baggage Center is the only store in America that purchases and resells unclaimed baggage from the airlines.
The chances of luggage not making it to baggage claim are slim to none. However, it does happen. After 90 days, the baggage that's not claimed belongs to the airlines. It then ends up in warehouses all across America.
The Unclaimed Baggage Center has an exclusive agreement with the airlines and picks up all of the unclaimed baggage, sight unseen. After all of the items have been inspected, one third is recycled, one third is donated, and the remaining third is placed on the shelves to be sold. Approximately 7,000 items are stocked each day at the Unclaimed Baggage Center.
Everything at the Unclaimed Baggage Center is marked 20% to 80% off retail price. Exquisite jewelry, sporting goods and unique artwork are just a few of the many bargains you'll find here.
At the Unclaimed Baggage Center, you don't have to leave to grab a bite to eat. Its very own cafe, Cups Cafe, is a great place to rest and refuel while you're shopping.
The Unclaimed Baggage Center's biggest day of the year is their annual Winter & Ski Sale, which offers a huge selection of winter wear and ski equipment at great prices. People line up outside every year for this incredible sale.
The Unclaimed Baggage Center has most certainly seen its fair share of strange things. A few of the strangest things to ever come through the doors include Egyptian artifacts, live rattlesnakes, and even a four-foot-tall Hoggle, a Jim Henson puppet from the film "Labyrinth," starring David Bowie.
Over the years, the Unclaimed Baggage Center has become one of Alabama's top tourist and shopping destinations. It receives more than one million visitors each year.
If you've recently lost your airline luggage, and six months have passed, head on over to the Unclaimed Baggage Center. You just might find it there.
Have you ever been to the Unclaimed Baggage Center? If so, what did you think? Did you score yourself a deal? Share your experience with us!
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