Road Trip! My Unclaimed Heart

As much as I love the Steel City, every so often I have to get out of town. A recent trip to Chattanooga could have generated tales of the Tennessee River Valley, a one-way ticket for Track 29 or a visit to the original Moon Pie factory.

But I didn’t do any of those things (though I’m sure they’re all very fun, Tennessee Tourism Board!)

Alas, I had no time for the Aquarium or Ruby Falls, for I was too busy driving to Alabama to visit the Unclaimed Baggage Center!

Just an hour-ish southwest of the home of the famed Choo-Choo lies Scottsboro, Alabama, home to a 40-year-old business that’s gained something of a national following.

Founded in the 70s by Doyle and Sue Owens, the store is the place where your lost luggage may wind up finding a new home.

According to the store’s website, after 90 days of “intensive” tracking by the airlines, baggage declared unclaimed is up for grabs by the store, which sorts through suitcases and puts the best pickins on sale for the public. With a small cafe, recently renovated bathrooms and a concierge desk, one can spend hours browsing through the various departments.

Merchandise is sorted into different categories throughout the 50,000 square foot store, which takes up an entire city block. The bulk of the merchandise is clothing, including swim wear, evening wear and the occasional wedding dress. Electronics, sporting goods, books and even toiletries are available, the stock, of course, depending on what’s been lost lately.

One bit of a bummer: the on-site museum dedicated to the most interesting (and not for sale) merchandise was a victim of the current remodeling project. The oddities are to return to display once the renovations are complete.

So is it worth the drive to Alabama? At the end of the day, the UBC is essentially a very nice thrift store. But it does boast two unique departments that may make it worth the journey: jewelry and designer handbags.

To be honest, the deals on clothing or even used electronics aren’t that much better than what you might find online, at a conventional thrift store or even at a retail chain like Ross, Marshall’s or TJ Maxx. From the online message boards I checked out before making the 60-mile drive, I learned that the choicest luggage is often snapped up as soon as it hits the floor.

But.

These designer bag styles were not available at the store when I went. But they could be.

When was the last time you saw a Coach or Michael Kors handbag at one of those places? Or a graduated pearl necklace? It’s the items that you’d never find at Plato’s Closet that makes the UBC worth the drive across three state lines.

Along with the thrill of picking through other people’s business, you may find a gem that was bought on vacation, packed in a suitcase and then lost to the gremlins of baggage handling, still shiny and new.

Final verdict? If you’re within an hour or so of Scottsboro, a visit to the UBC may be well worth your while.

And if you do any souvenir shopping on vacation, be sure to pack the expensive stuff in your carry-on.

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