Treasure hunters, listen up: patience has a price—and it’s priceless.
At The Remnant in Laurel, Mississippi, every aisle hides a story. Shelves overflow with clothes, home goods, books, and oddities that beg to be examined.
Nothing is rushed. Nothing is obvious.
The thrill comes from slow, careful browsing, from spotting the gem that someone else walked right past.
This isn’t just shopping. It’s a hunt.
It’s flipping through racks while imagining the lives items once touched, wondering which ones are meant to follow you home. Each visit promises a new surprise—if you’re willing to spend the time.
Locals swear by it. Visitors leave with bags full of finds and a grin that won’t quit.
The Remnant rewards the patient. The curious.
The ones who love the chase almost as much as the catch.
Plan your visit like a local
Start by timing your trip around opening hours, because early birds get the best selection. The Remnant opens 10 AM most days, and the first hour feels calm enough to scan racks without pressure.
Aim for Tuesday or Wednesday if you want fresh donations processed after weekend drop offs and Monday organizing.
Park by Sawmill Square Mall and follow signs toward Suite 7, where you will step into a tidy, boutique style floor plan. You can move left to clothing, right to home goods, then loop furniture last to avoid crowd bunching.
Keep a quick list on your phone so you do not forget sizes or spaces you are decorating.
Bring a measuring tape and wear easy on shoes if you will try garments. If you are donation minded, load neatly bagged goods and ask staff about tax receipts at checkout.
They appreciate clean, gently used items, and you will appreciate how curated the floor looks because of it.
Finally, give yourself time to chat. Staff often knows when larger items are coming or which rack hides markdowns.
The conversation is warm, and the tips can steer you straight to a bargain.
How to thrift with patience and purpose
Patience at The Remnant pays off because inventory is donation based and constantly changing. Start with a slow rack scan, from left to right, touching each hanger.
Quality reveals itself in fabric hand, lining, and stitching, so let your fingers lead your eyes.
Next, circle back. The second pass catches premium labels, silk blouses, and jackets with better tailoring.
Check under hangers for size misplacements, because great pieces sometimes hide where they do not belong.
Purpose matters just as much. Shop with a color palette and a few wardrobe gaps in mind, and you will resist impulse clutter.
Use the mirror near the dressing rooms to test proportion, then put maybe items on hold while you take a lap and reflect.
If time allows, browse housewares last when your eye is warmed up. Scan for weighty glass, real wood, and solid brass hardware.
When you find something special, evaluate condition and think about cleaning plans before you head to the friendly checkout.
Clothing finds: from basics to boutique
Expect racks that feel curated rather than crammed. You will see women’s tops, dresses, denim, and statement jackets, plus a smaller but worthwhile men’s section that depends on recent donations.
Prices are approachable, with occasional color tag sales and seasonal markdowns.
Quality stands out fast. Look for natural fibers like cotton, linen, and wool, and do a quick seam check along shoulders and hems.
If a designer label appears, verify construction details, then consider how it fits into your closet before snagging it.
Try on with intention. Bring a base layer to quickly test blazers, and take a full length look to ensure proportions work with your shoes.
If you see potential but not perfection, ask about simple tailoring ideas to elevate the fit.
Do not overlook accessories. Scarves, belts, and jewelry can refresh outfits without spending much.
When you walk out with a versatile top for the price of coffee and lunch, you will remember why this shop gets such glowing praise.
Furniture, housewares, and the art of the upgrade
Furniture rotates, so patience lets you spot the piece that fits your space. Scan wood for real grain and dovetail joints, then check wobble and drawer glide.
Small tables, chairs, and bookcases move fast because they are easy to transport and flip.
Housewares are a treasure hunt. You might find heavy glass pitchers, stoneware, brass candlesticks, and framed art that only needs fresh matting.
Hold items to feel weight and quality, then study edges for chips and repairs before committing.
Think upgrades, not perfection. A gentle clean, new knobs, or a coat of paste wax can transform a thrifted find.
Keep measurements on your phone and painter’s tape in your bag to mock out space at home before buying larger items.
Ask staff what just arrived or what will hit the floor tomorrow. They know donation rhythms and sometimes share timing hints.
When you score a sturdy end table or a pair of lamps under budget, that patient pass around the floor suddenly feels brilliant.
Purses, jewelry, and small luxuries
The purse selection can surprise you, with structured totes, crossbodies, and occasional leather gems sprinkled among playful bags. Check stitching, hardware, and lining for quality cues.
Price tags are fair, and sale days sometimes turn a good deal into a great one.
Jewelry mixes vintage sparkle with modern minimal pieces. Look for weight in chains, secure clasps, and stones that are set rather than glued.
Bring a small magnet to check metals and a microfiber cloth to see how pieces polish up.
Small luxuries make the shop feel like a boutique. Silk scarves, wallets, and belts elevate basics instantly.
Pair a thrifted leather belt with high rise denim and a crisp white tee to create a look that reads effortless and considered.
When you find something promising, try it on in the mirror to check proportion. Ask a friendly associate for a second opinion, because the team is genuinely helpful.
With patience, you will leave with accessories that feel fresh and personal without straining your budget.
Sales, pricing, and donation flow
Smart thrifting here means tracking color tags and periodic markdowns. Shoppers sometimes walk into deep discounts like 50 to 75 percent, which makes experimenting easier.
Prices are already reasonable, so a sale day can stretch your budget much further.
Because inventory is donation driven, selection swings with the season and community generosity. Expect mid week refreshes and a tidy floor thanks to thoughtful sorting.
If you donate first, ask how your items are processed and whether you can receive a receipt for tax purposes.
Keep cash or a card ready and double check the store’s policy for returns. Most thrift items are final sale, but branded goods like their signature candles may have special handling.
When in doubt, a quick, kind question at checkout clarifies everything.
Use sales to test silhouettes, fabrics, or trends without commitment. A blazer on discount becomes a style lab, and a set of stoneware plates turns weeknight dinners into something cozy.
Your money supports Dwell, so every bargain carries a bit of purpose.
Community impact: shopping with heart
Purchases here do more than refresh your closet. Proceeds support Dwell, a transitional housing community for women, which means everyday shopping helps fund safe spaces and services.
That mission gives the store a welcoming tone you feel as soon as you step in.
Reviews consistently mention kind staff and a clean, organized floor. If you like to give back, ask about needs, volunteer opportunities, or which donations make the biggest difference right now.
You will walk out with a bag and a sense of connection.
Community impact also shows up in the curated standards. Items move quickly because quality builds trust, and shoppers return often knowing finds are thoughtfully vetted.
That cycle keeps shelves full and the mission funded.
Share your experience with friends visiting Laurel for the HGTV Hometown sights. Encourage them to browse, donate, and say hello to the team.
Shopping with heart feels good, and patience here turns into good finds and good work for neighbors.
A perfect Laurel itinerary around The Remnant
Make it a morning. Arrive at 10 AM, snag easy parking by Sawmill Square Mall, then browse The Remnant while the store is fresh and quiet.
Move slowly through clothing, loop home goods, and leave furniture for last to avoid distraction.
Late morning, stroll downtown for coffee and a quick photo of Laurel’s murals. If you are on the HGTV Hometown trail, add a house peek or two before lunch.
Keep your trunk clear in case you return for that chair that lingered in your mind.
After lunch, swing back for a second pass. New items sometimes roll out midday, and you may have earned clarity on pieces you held earlier.
Check size swaps, try that blazer again, and decide with confidence.
Wrap up with a small donation drop or a chat with staff about upcoming sale days. Program the phone number for quick questions and note the weekly hours in your map app.
You will head home with treasures, a full heart, and plans to return.