That’s an odd headline, no? And yet, it’s an annual tradition that’s about to have its 44th occurrence November 1st in Scottsboro, Alabama, at Unclaimed Baggage, the store that gets what the airlines can’t find owners for.
While the store is regularly open during the year for bargain hunters and curiosity seekers to pick through the sad stories, it generally doesn’t sell skis and other winter sports gear and winter sports wear until the November sale.
Year-round, the retailer saves up all ski gear and winter wear that comes through its facilities – rolling them out at this one-day event each year. Aisles are stocked with skis, snowboards and helmets at steep discounts alongside top outdoor brands like Patagonia, Arc’teryx, Canada Goose, Moncler and The North Face—all detached from their original owners. This year there’s even a jumbo tent in the parking lot to house the overflow.
The event has become so popular that people show up the night before with RVs and tents, and the store now runs movies, giveaways and other events during the evening. In the morning, the first 50 guests in line get a 30-minute head start on the merchandise.
