Shangri-la for shoppers at Discovery Shop

Elizabeth Hock

A white leather table and a harlequin-style chest are among the items donated by vendors at the International Home Furnishings Market in High Point, N.C., to the Discovery Shop on Scruggs Road in Moneta.

Moving merchandise is taking on a whole new meaning at the Discovery Shop at Smith Mountain Lake.

The shop, whose proceeds benefit the American Cancer Society, will undergo a transformation this weekend. Volunteers will completely remove all the "gently used" inventory that has been donated by lake-area businesses and residents.

In its place, they'll bring in some of the seven truckloads of new furniture and accessories donated by manufacturers and business owners exhibiting at the International Home Furnishings Market, previously known as the Southern Furniture Market, in High Point, N.C.

Starting Monday, Nov. 9, the merchandise valued at more than $50,000 will be available at less than or close to wholesale prices, according to Marsha Protinsky, co-manager of the shop on Scruggs Road. Among the items for sale will be dining room tables, sofas, lamps and art work.

"When we initially opened five years ago, we were the ultimate recycle shop and did a great business with the local folks who were moving to the lake, combining homes, redecorating and furnishing condos," said Dee Kropf, a volunteer in charge of market donations.

Kropf said the donations from the furniture market have helped sustain the shop's revenue since the lake's real estate market has slowed.

Protinsky said this year's market mother lode is much bigger than any it has received since representatives started soliciting the market in 2005. Three storage units have been rented, in addition to the large storage warehouse behind the shop, to accommodate the donations.

Many of the manufacturers have taken a hit with a struggling economy and are downsizing or consolidating inventory. Those in charge of securing donations for the Discovery Shop have expanded their base of operations and the number of vendors solicited.

But there's another reason the shop was able to hit the jackpot this fall.

Mark Hurley, community manager for the American Cancer Society, said the volunteers had worked hard to establish a relationship with the market's vendors.

"I think they get excited to see the volunteers and know how important it is to help fight cancer," he said.

Kropf said she expects the shop, the only one in the country run entirely by volunteers and the only one not to feature or carry clothing, will continue to get showroom samples throughout the year between the spring and fall markets.

Among the showroom samples for sale at the shop: high-end tables from Thomas Lawrence Fine Furniture; "funky" floor lamps; glass-top coffee tables; storage cubs from Artmax; and accessories from Mainly Baskets, Chromcraft-Remington and American Leather.

The Discovery Shop has taken in almost $800,000 since it opened five years ago.

The Discovery Shop, located at 400 Scruggs Road in Moneta, is open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. and from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. on Saturday. 721-0050. www.discoveryshopsva.com. The shop accepts home furnishings, accessories, books and jewelry. Large items will be picked up from donors. All donations are tax-deductible and all proceeds from their sales benefit the American Cancer Society's regional programs.