return to Better You > Steals & Deals

Apr 2011  |  By Jim Graham  |  Comments

2011 North Shore Chicago Rummage Sale Calendar

More than a dozen churches on Chicago’s North Shore have for the second year published a bargain-hunter’s dream.

Editor's note: Please check back soon for 2012 dates!

Here's the 2011 rummage sale calendar for April through October, loaded with opportunities for great bargains on antiques, clothing, furniture, house wares, toys and more.

April

St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church Rummage Sale
Tuesday, April 12, 2011 (sneak pre-sale!)
6:30 - 9 p.m.
Saturday, April 16, 2011
8 a.m. - 2 p.m.

St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church
525 Ninth Street
Wilmette

The April 12 evening event is an early opportunity to buy some great stuff in advance of the big sale day of April 16. Both events open to all.

Church website

St. Athanasius Catholic Church Rummage Sale
Saturday, April 16, 2011
8 a.m. - 3 p.m.

St. Athanasius Catholic Church
1615 Lincoln Street
Evanston
847-328-1430

Find toys, books, clothing, electronics and sports gear. And also check out the "treasures room" and furniture tent. Also auctioning cars and serving breakfast and lunch yummies. To donate items contact Tracie Miller at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Church website

May

Unitarian Church of Evanston Rummage Sale
Friday, May 6, 2011, 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Saturday, May 7, 2011, 9 a.m. - noon

Unitarian Church of Evanston
1330 Ridge Ave. (at Greenwood)
Evanston
847-864-1330

Customers say it is one of their favorite sales. Thishuge sale offers a wide array of gently used items from 12 departments, plus snacks from healthy to decadent.

Church website

St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church Rummage Sale
Saturday, May 7, 2011
7 a.m. - 2 p.m.

St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church
1235 Wilmette Avenue

Wilmette
847-251-1730

St. John’s has been conducting rummage sales for more than 60 years, today offering 12 departments crammed with great merchandise. Customers say they appreciate the quality and fair prices as well as our friendly volunteer staff.

  Rummage donations accepted the April 25 - 29 between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.

Church website

Winnetka Congregational Church Rummage Sale
Thursday, May 12, 2011
7 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Winnetka Community House/Harkness Hall

620 Lincoln Ave.
Winnetka (corner of Lincoln and Pine) 

847-446-0575

Rummage website

First Presbyterian Church of Lake Forest Spring Rummage Sale
Saturday, May 21, 2011
7 a.m. - 4 p.m.

First Presbyterian Church of Lake Forest
700 N. Sheridan Road
Lake Forest
847-234-6250

Held this year in conjunction with the Church of the Holy Spirit Spring Fair, the sale features activities for children, lunch and rides. The rummage sale is in its 61st year, is one of the largest in the country and last year raised $113,000 for mission programs.

The sale draws shoppers from the entire Midwest, some lining up as early as 3 a.m. to earn the coveted title “first in line." Each year, church members and nonmembers alike volunteer with the sale.  Biggest draw is usually the “Treasures” and “French Room” - some real finds!

Due to the timing of Easter, this sale was moved from its traditional first Saturday in May to the third Saturday in May.

June

Christ Church Winnetka Rummage Sale
Saturday, June 4
8 a.m. - 12 p.m.

Christ Church Winnetka Parish House
470 Maple Street
Winnetka

Rummage web site

North Shore Unitarian Church Rummage Sale
Saturday, June 25, 2011
8 a.m. - 4 p.m.

North Shore Unitarian Church
2100 Half Day Road
Deerfield
For information email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 312-857-3555

This annual rummage sale provides gently used and new items at reasonable prices to people who can use them and it keeps functional items out of our landfills. Eighty percent of the net proceeds of this sale go to agencies that target homelessness and poverty in Lake and Cook counties. The remaining 20 percent is allocated to other nominated social and environmental agencies.

Church website

July

Kenilworth Union Church Preview Deballage Luncheon and Fashion Show
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
11 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.

Skokie Country Club
500 Washington Avenue
Glencoe
For other information contact Barbara Padgitt at 847-446-2786 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

Preview Deballage features a luncheon, fashion show and live and silent auctions. The fashion show is where the creme de la creme of all the donations are available for purchase. Valet parking provided.

Tickets are $45 per person or $400 for a table of ten and may be purchased from Kim Urban at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

Rummage website

St. Nicholas Catholic Church Rummage Sale
Saturday, July 16, 2011
8 a.m. - 3 p.m.

St. Nicholas Catholic Church
806 Ridge Ave.
Evanston
Contact Mary Moring, 847-864-3221, or Sr. Christina Fuller, 847-864-1185

You'll find two buildings crammed with great bargains from toys and books to furniture. Depending on what is donated, they may even have cars for sale. Food service starts in late morning and includes some excellent home made Mexican specialties.

The church is easy to find just south of the corner of Ridge Avenue and Main Street.

www.nickchurch.org

Kenilworth Union Church Premium Presale
Thursday, July 21, 2011
9 a.m. - 12 p.m.

Kenilworth Union Church
211 Kenilworth Avenue
Kenilworth

Held two days in advance of KUC's big annual rummage sale, here's a chance to buy items ahead of the crowd, but for a price. You pay 50% extra, above what you'll pay Saturday. Open to all. For more detail see KUC's calendar listing for July 23 or visit the church rummage website.

Kenilworth Union Church Rummage Sale
Saturday, July 23, 2011
7 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Kenilworth Union Church
211 Kenilworth Avenue
Kenilworth
Contact: Sallie Smith, 847-251-0900

This big annual event features 22 different departments where you can expect to find bicycles and other sporting equipment; furniture; carpets; jewelry, including vintage, fine, jade, marquisate and glass beads; high end clothing as well as popular affordable brands; books; infant needs such as layette, strollers and furniture; kitchenware and appliances; china and crystal sets; decorator items such as pictures, linen, draperies, towel sets and comforters; music CDs and DVDs.

Every July over 280 women, with the help of men and youth, organize the sale which generates proceeds for the 50 KUC outreach agencies that KUC supports. These agencies provide vital health care to the uninsured, food for the needy, child care, family services and much more. Starting June 9 through July 12, donations can be dropped off at the church.

Church rummage website

September

Highland Park's Three-Church Rummage Sale
Friday, Sept. 9, 2011
7 a.m. - 7 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 10, 2011
8 a.m. - 1 p.m.

A highlight of the North Shore rummage season is this 2-day event when three great congregations hold rummage sales during the same hours. Not to be missed. All within blocks of each other, find a wonderful array of clothing, household goods, books galore, treasures, sporting goods and furniture. Three sales in one trip to Highland Park!

Trinity Episcopal Church
425 Laurel Ave.
Highland Park
Church phone: 847-432-6653
www.trinitychurchhp.org

Immaculate Conception Parish
770 Deerfield Road
Highland Park
Phone: 847-433-0130
www.icparish.org

Highland Park Presbyterian Church
330 Laurel Ave.
Highland Park
Phone: 847-432-1695
www.hppcil.org

St. Pauls United Church of Christ Rummage Sale
Saturday, Sept. 10, 2011, 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.

St. Pauls United Church of Christ
2335 North Orchard Street (at Fullerton)
Chicago
Phone: 773-348-3829

Come “Shop the Steeple” at St. Pauls – located in the heart of Lincoln Park. Donations are accepted from March through August for this huge sale. Shoppers are amazed at how well St. Pauls organizes and displays items for the sale. You won’t feel like you are rummaging! The church’s gymnasium, stage, chapel, parlor, large social hall and 5 other rooms are filled with items for the sale – including a treasures room, jewelry, both men’s and women’s designer clothing, better housewares, electronics, furniture and books just to mention a few. Shop the Steeple and stay for lunch in the outdoor café.

Church website

First Presbyterian Church of Lake Forest Rummage Sale
Saturday, Sept. 24, 2011
8 a.m. - 3 p.m.

First Presbyterian Church of Lake Forest
700 N. Sheridan Road
Lake Forest

Church website

North Shore United Methodist Church BargainFest - Fall Into Bargains
Saturday, Sept. 24, 2011
9 a.m. - 2 p.m.

North Shore United Methodist Church
213 Hazel Ave
Glencoe
Contact: Donna Kemp at 847-835-1227

Featuring the following departments: children's clothes & toys, teen's clothes, women's clothes, men's clothes, linens, books, housewares and electronics, furniture and sporting goods. Look also for a concession stand and a bake sale.

Event website

October

Christ Church Winnetka 87th Annual Fall Rummage Sale
Thursday, October 6, 2011
7 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Christ Church Parish House
470 Maple Street (at Oak)
Winnetka

Rummage web site

Winnetka Congregational Church Rummage Sale
Saturday, October 15
9 a.m - 2 p.m.

Winnetka Community House/Harkness Hall
620 Lincoln Ave.
Winnetka
Rummage office phone: 847-446-0575

Net proceeds are distributed in the form of Benevolence Grants to over 60 charities & agencies in the Chicago area.

Rummage web page