A Tennessee woman could barely believe her luck after discovering a set of valuable plates at a local church bazaar. Leah Rhodes, who is based in Nashville, told Newsweek she has always been drawn to thrifting because of the buzz she gets from “the hunt” for valuable pieces. According to figures published by Capital One Shopping, the thrifting industry has grown by a remarkable 143 percent since 2018.
Part of the appeal for Rhodes is that it serves as a throwback to a simpler era of shopping. You have to hunt for it,” she said. While browsing the items on offer, she was immediately taken with a stack of eye-catching plates.
Founded in 1983 by Victoria and Richard MacKenzie-Childs in Aurora, New York, MacKenzie-Childs is a luxury American home décor and tableware brand known for its hand-painted ceramics, colorful designs, and signature checkered patterns. Its plates are highly collectible, particularly retired pieces from the 1980s and 1990s. Listings on Etsy suggest common examples can sell for between $50 and $150, while desirable retired patterns in excellent condition frequently command between $125 and $250 per plate.
Rhodes bought eight plates for a total of $20. Based on her estimates, they could be worth as much as $1,000 if sold as a set. How they ended up at a church bazaar is unclear.
While the plates may be worth considerably more than she paid, Rhodes is in no hurry to sell them. Instead, she has hung them on a wall in a place of pride in her home.
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