Un-New Resale & Consignment Revives Unsold Estate Sale Merchandise

There’s no such thing as an unloved item at Un-New Resale & Consignment, where eccentricity runs riot and peculiarities peek around every corner.

Tucked away at 7110 N. Sheridan Rd., approximately one mile from the Lake Shore Campus, Un-New co-owners Julia Morgan and Anthony Violanti sell unsold estate sale items. The store opened May 1 and celebrated its ribbon-cutting ceremony Sept. 23.

The two share a background in estate sales as Violanti owns ORA Estate Sale and Morgan works in private estate sales. The pair met late last year at one of Violanti’s estate sales in Hyde Park, where Morgan assisted. 

From there, the plans for Un-New swiftly took shape. 

“We were both kind of looking for the same type of outlet, and there’s no reason to let grass grow under your feet,” Morgan said. “So it came about rather quickly, but I think it was a good fit.”

The majority of Un-New’s collections come from Morgan and Violanti’s estate sales, where they adopt unsold items for a second chance at life.

“There are pieces left over that are quality and deserve a new home,” Morgan said. “And so that’s why we started this store — so that we can bring things here and sell it to people that are looking for quality things at not the top tier of pricing.”

Offering lower prices is crucial to Un-New, as they strive to accommodate all economic statuses, according to Violanti. 

The store runs an array of items to match any customer need — from collectible iridescent glass art to coffee tables. 

“It’s really kind of a two-edged sword in a way,” Violanti said. “We need to keep quality going on here, but we also have to keep in mind that there are people who live in smaller spaces, so a gigantic sofa, for them, doesn’t make much sense.”

If a customer is unable to find an item they’re looking for, Morgan and Violanti said they’ll take requests and keep their eyes open when scouring for new stock.

The store’s window displays are frequently rearranged to attract shoppers. Currently on display is the 20th century bronze sculpture “Dancer of Kapurthala” by Larry Flynt in the style of Demétre H. Chiparus, which retails at over $3,500.

In the fashion of Un-New’s price spectrum, the sculpture’s display is accompanied by affordable kitchenware.

Morgan said her experiences in estate sales have honed her abilities in both salesmanship and appraising second-hand pieces — having developed an eye for distinguishing authentic pieces from knock-offs, and even once selling human teeth at an estate sale.

Un-New’s stock reaches beyond estate sales, gathering from flea markets, Facebook Marketplace and even Morgan’s basement. When collecting items to sell, Morgan said she keeps an open mind, her only stipulations being quality and uniqueness. 

“I don’t have a fixed thing that I’m looking for because you never know what you’re going to find,” Morgan said. “But you want to try and make it something that’s unique — something that not everybody has one of, something that when someone comes in and looks at it, they go, ‘Oh, that’s really great.’”

The relationship between Un-New and estate sales is beneficial to everyone involved, according to Violanti, as the reselling of otherwise unwanted items supplies Un-New with inventory, neighborhoods with quirky homegoods and estate sales with reduced leftover stock.

Not every item collected ends up at Un-New. Morgan said she prefers to donate cookware, linens and towels to shelters in the Garfield Park neighborhood as well as veterinary offices.

“I know from taking my parrot in that she will shred any towel they try to get near her,” Morgan said. “I bring her in and I bring a few towels.”

Additionally, any items not purchased within a certain time frame are donated to other resale shops like Green Element to keep Un-New fresh for customers.

“Our end goal is to give people pieces that they’re going to love and that they’re going to use or display and are proud of,” Morgan said.

During Rogers Park’s Small Business Saturday, Nov. 23, Un-New will offer discounts to those browsing their store. The shop is currently offering a 10% discount for Loyola students and faculty with valid school IDs.

Un-New Resale & Consignment is open Thursday through Saturday 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday 12 p.m. to 5 p.m., or by appointment.