CLIPBOARD : The Apple Tree Furniture Consignment Store

Marjorie Meimberg, owner of the Apple Tree in Los Alamitos, so enjoys bargain hunting that she decided to make it her profession.

Meimberg saved so much money by purchasing her clothing in consignment shops that she opened a store offering furniture on a similar arrangement. Meimberg scouts out sellers wanting to part with quality used furniture and places the items on display in her store. Owners receive 50% to 65% of the sales price and Meimberg takes a portion of the profit in exchange for providing selling space and advertising.

“It saves buyers and sellers lots of time and headaches,” Meimberg said. Sellers are relieved of the burden of running a garage sale or listing an ad in the paper and buyers don’t have to spend their weekends making the rounds looking for furniture.

“I have customers who have furnished their entire homes here piece by piece or room by room,” said Meimberg, who originally opened the shop in Long Beach four years ago. “And they spent less than half of what they’d spend if they bought everything new.”

For example, an oak and glass dining room table with six ultra-suede chairs is available for $875. The set, which originally sold for $1,600, includes three extension leafs. A matching sideboard is $175. There is also a Jenny Lind crib ($195) made of spooled walnut that sells complete with crib set. A matching changing table is $55. A 30x54-inch walnut conference table costs just $50. There are dressers, desks, bookcases, chairs and a variety of shelves and tables.

The Apple Tree also sells entire sets of China, sometimes for as little as $65. There are Franciscan, Fiesta and Bauer pottery collectibles and Hummel, Royal Doulton and Copenhagen figurines.

Occasionally, Apple Tree offers antiques, like the handmade 1920s dough table with built-in flour bins. There is also a 1920s bird’s-eye maple rocker ($85) and matching slipper chair for $70. “I’m very choosy about what I accept on consignment, “ said Meimberg. “I know that my customers don’t want to look through a lot of junk to find what they want.”

Those with items to place on consignment are requested to call for an appointment.

Hours: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Tuesday through Friday. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday and Sunday.

Address: 5032 Katella Ave., Los Alamitos (across from the racetrack).

Telephone: (213) 430-6080

Miscellaneous Information: Sellers earn 50% of the selling price on any item sold for $50 or less, 65% on items sold for more than $50. Apple Tree does not accept clothing, jewelry, appliances or mattresses.