Shopportunites: U-Turn

When you think consignment shopping, you naturally think about recycling. But it's hard to top the recycling U-Turn offers.

We mentioned U-Turn, 6905 W. North Ave., Wauwatosa, before it opened in May. Now that the shop is at full tilt, it has "green"-etude in every corner.

"We really stress recycle, reuse, everywhere here," says Deb Kruse, who runs the store with partner Jess Brittingham.

The most imaginative examples are the new careers men's shirts are enjoying here, thanks to high school student Collette Cooper. She cuts off the sleeves and turns the shirts into kicky skirts.

Bike inner tubes are woven together to form a mirror frame. Antique furniture serves as cabinetry. Purses made of grocery bags hang from a wall.

But it isn't only the recycling that fills U-Turn. Geared for teens and up, items range from gently used shoes to blazers and sweaters. Vintage Harley leathers have their own rack. Local artists such as Michele St. Amour and Perlina provide earring and necklace lines.

Prices range widely (jeans run between $12 and $90.) What caught our eye was just one unclaimed jewel: a custom-made tan and turquoise leather woman's cowboy jacket with knee-length fringe. It was a one-of-a-kind for $250.

Store hours are 9 a.m. to noon Tuesday, 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday. Call (414) 443-0143.

- Jackie Loohauis-Bennett

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