Searching among the racks of women's hats, men's jackets, vinyl records, beer steins, dog-eared copies of the Celestine Prophecy and the downright curious — a camouflage Betty Boop doll that stands sentry over the floor with a glazed, come hither grin — Lincoln County Humane Society thrift store manager Barry Hustins finds a 4-foot x 6-foot wicker rack designed for well, no-one seems to know for sure.

“We get a lot of these “what is it” type things,” said Hustins. “We don't know what it is or what it's for.”

Indeed, the Boothbay Harbor store, open seven days a week, can resemble a depository of the carefully discarded, an island of misfit toys, pictures, videotapes and coffee table books all clamoring for a second life. The old adage of one man’s trash is another man’s treasure rings true and helps bankroll the general fund for the humane society. Buoyed by a loyal customer base who are seeking both bargains and the bizarre, Hustins rotates the stock on the shelves almost daily to meet the demand.

“We have customers who come in every day,” Hustins said. “It's always something different that comes through the door.”

For Anne Hedgcock, who visits once a week, the thrift store offers an opportunity to pick up inexpensive fabric and the chance of discovering a true gem.

“It's the hunt and sometimes this is the only place in town to find what I need,” Hedgcock said.

A few weeks ago, she found what she believes to be an original study from the famous painting “The Gleaners” created by the 19th century French realist Jean Francois Millet. The painting is a depiction of rural, peasant life in the French countryside, considered priceless by many in the art world. Hedgcock is in the process of authenticating her find through a professor in western Massachusetts.

“I'm kind of afraid to know the answer,” Hedgcock said. 

Television shows like “Antiques Roadshow” and “American Pickers” have increased the popularity of bargain/treasure hunting and created a slew of amateur appraisers hoping to be the next Michael Sparks, who famously bought a $2 copy of the Declaration of Independence from Goodwill worth $300,000. Fortune hunting aside, the area thrift stores are important financial pipelines to their respective causes.

According to the thrift industry trade group NARTS , the resale industry in the U.S. has annual revenues of approximately $16 billion. The group points to the popularity of recycling as a big factor in why thrift store revenue is growing by seven percent yearly. In an age of planned obsolescence, people seem to be drawn to items that have stood the test of time.

A short drive down Route 27 in the Meadow Mall, the volunteers of St. Andrews Auxiliary thrift store operate much the same as Hustins and his crew. Donations come in all shapes and sizes, the volunteers take care in finding items of value (unsoiled clothes, Monopoly games with all the money) and those that don't (socks with no mates, Crockpots without lids). Donations that are deemed unusable are sent to the Salvation Army, which can re-purpose almost anything, St. Andrews volunteer Cindy Sanborn said.

“We are lucky to have many donations,” she said. Sanborn helps lead the group who separate the proverbial wheat from the chaff on any given day. “We do get a lot of horrible stuff. We don't take items that are ripped, torn, or dirty. We don't have the room for furniture unfortunately. If we can't use it, we will do our best to find someone who can.”

Further north on Route 27, the  Edgecomb Thrift Shop began operation in November 2004 in the Congregational Church's converted kitchen space. The store sells a variety of donated items ranging from clothing, housewares and lamps, to shoes, toys, puzzles, jewelry and books. Clothing prices range from 25 cents to $2. Other items such as a set of dishes may cost $12-$15.

Volunteers Louise Hardina of Newcastle and Gloria Bailey of Edgecomb were two of the original volunteers who continue working at the shop. What Hardina said began as “just something for a couple of women to do” has turned into a profitable operation.

The shop donates thousands of dollars each year to several  nonprofit agencies in Edgecomb, Boothbay, Augusta and Topsham.

It also hosts a community lunch every Tuesday at noon. For Bailey, volunteering is an enjoyable activity.

“I love meeting all the people who shop and come for the meal,” she said.

All three thrift stores rely on volunteer efforts to fulfill their respective missions and all offer products beyond the ordinary.  The strange and unknown are all welcome, a philosophy shared by all the volunteers and paid workers who man the regions bargain bins.

“Even if we have no idea what it is,” Hustins said. “I guarantee somebody will want it eventually.”