For 10 years Roland Lee, owner of Roland's Thrift store in downtown Opelika, has been scouring the Southeast in search of items for his shop.
"I go looking for the stuff in my store," Lee said. "I go to flea markets, yard sales and other places where old treasures can be found. You never know where you'll find stuff."
The items in Roland's are an eclectic mix of nostalgic memorabilia, antiques and oddities.
"Clocks, Coca-Cola signs, military stuff, pocket knives, chandeliers, deer heads, dishes, pictures and guitars are some of the things people come find here," Lee said.
Lee's interest in old or unusual items extends beyond his years at the thrift store.
"I was the store manager for the Salvation Army for 10 years," Lee said. "I got interested in sorting through old stuff."
Lee manages the store himself and often jokes that he can't take a day off because his boss would be upset.
While Lee admits some of his stock is junk, he maintains the value in other items-- like a piece of giraffe skin and coils from a Model-T.
Lee's selection attracts business from both larger antique stores and individuals.
"I get a lot of business from Angel's Antiques," Lee said. "I've got a lot of regulars, people coming in looking for unusual stuff. I have good customers."
One of Roland's regulars is Chris Gluckman, sophomore in biomedical sciences.
"Roland's is unique because unlike other thrift stores Roland goes and seeks out things," Gluckman said. "He goes to flea markets to find his items. He has a lot of cool decorations."
Gluckman said shopping at Roland's is not your typical thrift store experience.
"Most things aren't really priced," Gluckman said. "You can pick up a handful of things and he'll look at it and say the price. It's always a great deal."
Sam Sturgis, sophomore in art and Gluckman's roommate, is also a fan of Roland's shop.
"Roland is great because he will keep an eye out for things you ask him to," Gluckman said. "Sam was looking for an old canoe and asked Roland to look for one, and he found him an awesome old canoe."
Roland always provides great customer service, Gluckman said.
"That's how Roland is," Gluckman said. "If I call him and he's not in the store, he'll come in so I can look around."
Roland's Thrift Store is located at 825 S. Railroad Ave. in downtown Opelika, a few storefronts down from the Irish Bred Pub.
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