A big welcome to Cathy LaVoie, the new Manager at our Warrenton store! She's fun! She's personable - and knows how to run a store having spent many years in various key positions with major retailers like the Hecht Company.  Cathy's been learning the ropes in the consignment room. She's fascinated by our industry's quirky brand of retail.

A long time area resident, Cathy's youngest daughter just flew the nest off to college. There isn't much Cathy doesn't know how to do - and one of the staff favorites is her ability to bake! Ummmmm.

Please stop, introduce yourself, say hi and welcome to her next time you see this energetic dynamo in the shop! We're so fortunate to have found someone that naturally fits in so well with our staff and customers.

 

Welcome Mandy to The White Elephant family if you happen to see her about the stores!

A resident of pastoral Rappahannock County, she lives in a beautiful log home with her husband and three boys. Hired to wear many hats,  Mandy is already bringing a wonderful, calm sense of order to our large storage and processing  area with her supreme organizational skills.

Several days a week you'll also find Mandy cheerfully helping customers in WExchange Thrift Shop as she puts those same talents to use making the store look great and merchandise easier to find in the cute little shop.

Mandy says she 'loves clothes'! She certainly has found the perfect new home away from home!

 Gosh! Where to start? This is the hardest time of year to produce the new arrival lists for the stores. Stuff comes and goes so fast it's very hard to give our wonderful fans and customers an accurate list! But, what the heck! I'll give you an idea here of some new stuff that came in the other day to our Warrenton store. (I haven't been to the Middleburg store in a few days - you'll just have to pop in and see for yourself what's new up there!)

- Love Blue? Here's a cheerful, practical piece for many places in your home. The doors on the right allow you to insert a photo, just decorate (i.e. you could fill with sea shells - whatever), or put an example of what is in the drawers so you don't have to open them all the time to 'member what's in them.

 -Enjoy the fall weather! String up this new, fall colored, striped hammock between your favorite trees, grab a glass of sweet tea - and relax!

-Beautiful beveled glass top, two pier based, mahogany dining room table. Each pier has three carved legs with brass end caps and casters.  Top of pier has a beautifully carved design which shows thru the top of the glass. A most unusual, elegant table - an update on a classic. Remember - Thanksgiving - and all those relatives and friends are coming! Have the room to seat them? You will with this table!

-PREHISTORIC! This rocking horse is the most unusual primitive piece I've ever seen...errr -  you'll either love it or hate it - either way - it's a feast for the eyes to behold!

-BURBERRY! Love their trademark plaid? Well - we've received a matching pair of upholstered club chairs - very comfy - very cushy - in this distinctive looking plaid. Great for a den, family room - or a man's bedroom or office. Well-priced in like-new condition. Buy the pair or individually.

-CASHMERE! For the ladies is easy to find in our Warrenton store - just look for the waterfall display by the sales counter and drool over the pretty array of colors and sizes just waiting to warm you on those chilly fall mornings to come.

 -MEN'S XXL Sizes! Attention! If you are or know a tall guy with style and a size 13 foot rush in to Warrenton! NEW Johnson & Murphy shoes at a fraction of their wholesale - cashmere trench coats and sweaters - Burberry rain coats and scarves - PINK of London shirts (soooo well-made and tailored) - fleece zips - slacks - sport coats - all the better designer makers and fabrics - new, never worn from a lovely clothes horse of a man! Deals for you!

-Dining room season is heating up here in Warrenton. Happens every year at the stores. As people start spending more time inside (or thinking about doing so as winter inevitably approaches) - thoughts start turning to the holidays ahead - and the relatives, guests and friends......and we start getting dining room furniture galore! If you are looking for a bigger set, a smaller set, another set - anything - check the stores frequently! Last week we did a dining room vignette front window 'cause we had 7 sets in different styles and woods/finishes - and sold 4 sets out of the window in one day - just kept popping them in and out!

-Everyone needs a good comfy chair to read in or watch TV - and to make your friends feel welcome to kick back and chat. We've certainly got a great selection coming and going in all styles and all price ranges too!

Most of the chairs we received last weekend have a twin (buy both or individually) and many of them come with matching footstools. Check it out - then haul one home! 

- GREEN UP YOUR LIFE! Prepare now for spending more time inside and don't forget! All of our plants and trees in the stores are for sale! Easy care, low maintenance plants will cheer you up immeasurably in the days ahead!

Our Halloween selection this year helps you save money! Check out our large variety of new costumes for the kids at prices you won't believe! A fraction of the original wholesale cost! Warrenton store only.

Want to decorate for this favorite holiday but don't want to break the bank? We've gotch ya covered! Huge ceramic Dracula mugs - garland......Hallmark cups, plates, tablecloths (just 99 cents - original retails $3.99 and up)....lighted yard stakes...you just need to come see!

Better yet?!  

Purchase $10 or more of any Halloween merchandise and receive a FREE set of 8 new Halloween themed place mats for your kids to color and make their own!

Limit one per customer. While supplies last. No rainchecks. Warrenton store only.

HAVE COSTUMES or other Halloween decor you no longer need?Consign them now!

 Our customers are buying!

We're saving you fortunes!

I was reminded to let you know about the free Chinese fortunes you can get free at our stores when a friend sent me this link. Did you know that fortune cookies are not a Chinese invention? Watch the short video to see some reactions from some Chinese citizens to the ubiquitous little cookie!

If you've seen a lovely young lady zipping around the Warrenton store, straightening, helping do displays, assisting customers,

moving furniture......the one that seems to be everywhere at the same time? Welcome Brittany to the wonderful staff of The White Elephant in Warrenton!

Many customers have been asking where 'the girls' have gone!

They mean the three muskateers as we dubbed them - Megan, Joanna and Nikki. 

Well, were happy to be able to tell you two of them are back ...for now! Megan  is about to start her sophmore year at The University of Virginia and has been working for us this summer part-time as she also works with the Boys and Girls Club with young adults,  'cause she wants to be a teacher.

Nikki is back part-time as she also is attending college locally. We're glad to have her!  She is one young woman that knows the latest styles and fashions and keeps us older folk at The White Elephant 'in the know'!

The stores have been exceptionally busy as everyone starts gearing up for the back-to-school season - all the while trying to make the most of the last few weeks of summer.

Here's just a small sampling of what's new this week at both stores!

Love Herend? Small animals, large animals - if you collect these lovely examples of exceptional workmanship you're in luck. Quite a few handfuls await your selection. - Middleburg

Manolo Blahnik - the trend continues for those who adore this manufacturer for shoe addicts. Come browse the selection! - Middleburg

Fabulously plain, cherry finish dining room table and four chairs - the owner says it must go! In mint condition - reduced to $260 - Warrenton

Large cast aluminum with solid granite top outdoor, rectangular dining table and four chairs. What a steal! - Warrenton

Horse owner? Have we got the tack box or storage trunk for you. Solid wood, walnut finish basic box - about 3-4 feet wide by about 6' long with hasp to add a lock. At less than $150 you just can beat the storage this treasure will provide! - Warrenton

Neo-classic black with gold accent wood side-chair. A stunner with it's subdued pale peachy/salmon shot with gold paisley design. - Middleburg

Perfect condition upholstered Baker Industries arm chair and matching footstool in dark tan is just waiting to grace your living room, office, den or study! - Men love this chair - Middleburg

Light beechwood, Ikea like triple dresser with deep, deep drawers. Holds lots of stuff in style. - Warrenton

Set of six creamy white leather upholstered chairs - two with arms. Comfy addition to anyone's dining room - especially if you like your guests to stay a while! - Warrenton

Large 12" long crystal roadster figurine - perfect gift (think ahead for the holidays) for the auto enthusiast man in your life - Middleburg

Pair of deep seated, tapestry-like upholstered arm chairs - wood arms in perfect condition. Mint condition but also great candidates for reupholstery as the price is definitely right! - Middleburg

Pair of matching burgundy leather Martha Washington chairs in excellent condition. Leather is perfect. Great for den or office - well priced - Warrenton

Pair of Martha Washington arm chairs upholstered in light cream and pale blue damask fabric - excellent condition - well priced - Middleburg

Round ice-cream parlor tile top table and six chairs - black - multi tile top - great bargain for everyday seating - great beach house set - Middleburg

Large almost 6' tall at highest, solid wood carved horse - looks like a carousel figure but it isn't - free-standing with front foreleg raised. Definitely a conversation piece - $575 - Warrenton

White metal flower cart - large flat cart with huge back wheels and canopy frame - Perfect front yard, porch or sunroom addition. Fun display for your plants and flowers! - Warrenton

Red and blue plaid love seat with cream background and small yellow accent in plaid - perfect for first apartment, dorm or den. Excellent condition and cheap to boot! - Middleburg

Computer stations, desks, lamps, organizers, baskets, hampers and such - all the gear for the college bound student living on or off campus can be found in our Warrenton store - quite a selection

Pair of two seater sofas in sage canvas twill - good condition with matching roll arm chair. Pieces sold separately - a great bargain - Warrenton

Very cheerful black wicker, square rolled arm chair with matching side table and foot stool covered in large black and white check fabric. - Warrenton

The Warrenton store in particular is packed to the rafters with a large selection of great furniture - its coming and going at a record pace - stop in often!

BOTH stores are showcasing the best of the best in back-to-school fashion for all ages. Abercrombie, Holister, Lilly P, Bebe, South Pole, Apple Bottoms, American Eagle, Fang, Energie, Free People and more for the teen and off to college crowd are particularly abundant.

Save Money - Make Money - 'Do Good' by recycling and purchasing gently experienced goods at our stores.

Our thanks to the thousands of fans of The White Elephant for voting in Warrenton Lifestyle Magazine's recent Best of Warrenton survey!

We were voted Best Consignment or Thrift Store for 2008 and runner-up for Best Antique store. Here's what the editors had to say about us:

'This year's recipient goes to The White Elephant. Opened in 1990 The White Elephant has supplied Warrentonians with beautiful doohickeys, forgotten antiques, and a DAZZLING store display to fill that empty niche in your home.'

Stop in again soon - we'll dazzle you too!

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Come join the fun on Saturday, August 2nd as  Middleburg holds our annual Summer Sidewalk Sale!

Look for the balloons outside that mark other shops participating in this great savings event.

And, if you're coming out for the big sidewalk sale, don't forget to bring your summer clothing or 'stuff' consignment with you!

Don't forget we begin accepting Fall clothing on September 1st.

Steal deals await one and all!