There’s more than meets the eye at The Hickory Tree, our area’s largest consignment shop, nestled in the up-and-coming neighborhood in northwest Hickory along Old Lenoir Road, just two miles from downtown. First, the newly refreshed storefront boasts a hand painted mural of its signature hickory tree and inviting window displays, but it disguises the expansive 8,000 square feet of furniture and antique showrooms hiding inside.

“We display our furniture so shoppers feel like they are browsing through someone’s home where everything is for sale,” explains owner Meredith Ross. “We have over 600 consignors that we’ve partnered with over the last two years, and we add about five each week. Our selection changes constantly. Folks come back often to see what’s new this week!”

SELLING AND BUYING
There are two critical partners in each sale at The Hickory Tree–the seller and the buyer. Consignment shops are the more engaging, interesting flip side of classified ads, estate sales, eBay and Craigslist. Husband and wife team, JD and Meredith Ross, play a critical role. They provide a delightful setting for buyers and sellers to come together. With the Rosses’ assistance, there are positive outcomes for everyone–sellers who have inherited items they can’t use, folks relocating or downsizing who need to thin out their possessions, people who would rather have the cash than the treasure and, of course, buyers who appreciate the beauty and value of antiques, those shopping for bargains on items with lots of life still left in them and people with a discerning eye for unique, high quality new or gently used furniture.

HICKORY’S FURNITURE LEGACY
The Hickory Tree’s inventory is peppered with upscale, high-end new furniture straight from the region’s renowned furniture manufacturers. “We’re not only a second-hand store, a gift store and an antique store,” JD told me as we toured his showrooms. “We’re a furniture gallery with accessories, decorator items and gifts. Many new items arrive here straight from decorators, home stagers and furniture buyers. I love it when folks come in after they’ve browsed around other furniture stores. They are always pleasantly surprised at our drastically reduced prices.” The Hickory Tree is a great place to start looking for furniture. I found Century, Henredon, Drexel, Bassett, Broyhill, Clayton Marcus and Henry Link furniture throughout the showrooms. Case goods, upholstered furniture, lighting and lamps, architectural items, rugs, fabrics, decorator pillows, collectibles, silver, china and original framed artwork by Bob Timberlake, G. Harvey and Thomas Kinkade are some of the treasures to be found.

THINKING OF CONSIGNING?
“We can handle everything from a lamp to an entire estate or household,” Meredith said. “People choose consignment for lots of reasons. The cost of storing furniture, especially in an air-conditioned space, is extremely expensive. You’ll lose more storing everything for six months than you would consigning what you have and buying new when you move. We can return more value than a yard sale, and it’s certainly
easier than eBay. People are pleasantly surprised at what they can get for their stuff!”

The Hickory Tree’s consignment arrangements are easy and generous for sellers. With a 50-50 split between consignors and the store–even when items are marked down over a five month selling period–consigning has the benefit of a very fair return. Many times, photo approval in an email or on your cell phone is all that’s needed. Meredith isn’t looking for perfect items, but she does require good style, clean, current upholstery in excellent condition and ready-to-use furniture and accessories. Her selection standards ensure quick turnaround and a quality selection that attracts buyers. Complete details about consigning and photos of items currently in the store can be found at www.hickorytreeconsignment.com.

THE THRILL OF THE HUNT
The Hickory Tree is a furniture showroom that appeals to different buyer types. “In addition to folks who drop in to browse or come back time after time for new bargains, we have decorators and home stagers–professionals who help ensure the best selling price by decorating your home while it’s on the market–shop here all the time. They’re looking for the perfect items for their sellers, new furniture for a new home or business or antique pieces to match a particular setting,” Meredith said with a smile. “The new owners of Green Park Inn in Blowing Rock just redecorated and spent time shopping here for period pieces they wanted. Local B&Bs around Hickory have shopped here, too. Realtors buy our gift certificates as a thank you to their clients. And lots of folks come in looking for the perfect gift for birthdays, anniversaries, and Christmas.”

A SPECIAL PLACE WITH SPECIAL PEOPLE
Meredith Ross’ career in home furnishings is grounded in the right experience at the right time. An Appalachian State graduate in Interior Design and former real estate agent, Meredith readily understood that Hickory was the perfect place for a fine furniture consignment store. “My parents were regular consigners in Charlotte. When they moved to Hickory, they realized there wasn’t a consignment shop in town that suited their treasures,” Meredith shared. “So I reopened Ansley’s consignment store (it had recently closed) and we’ve been doing great business ever since!” JD’s business degree from NC State and his background in banking have been helpful on the business side of their operation. The Hickory Tree has become so busy that he’s now full time in the store. Meredith’s parents have a good eye for quality and bargains, and they continue to volunteer and help out at The Hickory Tree.

MORE THAN A CONSIGNMENT SHOP
Meredith works closely with consignors to establish a fair price for their items based on age, style, and condition. She can price a single item or an entire estate. Extensive experience and a very good reputation have established Meredith as the go-to consultant in the Unifour area with advice for folks who need to de-clutter, decorate, buy or sell. She is an accredited staging professional available to help you prepare your home for sale with just the right look to attract potential buyers. She can refer you to reliable movers, upholsterers, refinishers, decorators and realtors.

When you consign your items, you know your treasures will find a new home with someone who will love them as much as you did. It’s the perfect way to let go of things that just need to move on. Meredith and JD do all the work, and you get a check in the mail!

When you are looking for the perfect piece for your home or business, start your hunt at The Hickory Tree. You’ll get professional advice, knowledgeable help in finding what you need and friendly, helpful assistance. You’d best buy it when you find it, though. It’s likely to be snatched up before you know it, and you’ll find a different treasure in its place when you return! But then, that’s really the thrill of the hunt, isn’t it?

The Hickory Tree
831 Old Lenoir Road
Hickory, NC
828.324.1655
www.hickorytreeconsignment.com
Hours: Monday-Saturday 10-5