Ever wonder what happens to lost luggage that never makes it back to its owner? Well, instead of disappearing into some mysterious airline void, a lot of it ends up in one place—the Unclaimed Baggage Center in Scottsboro, Alabama. And the best part? You can shop through all those lost and forgotten items, discovering everything from luxury handbags to wacky souvenirs. If you love a good deal and a great story, this is your kind of adventure.
Unclaimed Baggage Center by Dawn Pennington licensed under CC BY-ND 2.0
Back in 1970, a man named Doyle Owens had an idea: What if you could buy unclaimed luggage from airlines and sell what’s inside? With a borrowed truck and just $300, he drove to Washington, D.C., bought a batch of lost bags, and brought them back to Scottsboro to sell. Fast forward to today, and the Unclaimed Baggage Center has grown into a massive 50,000-square-foot wonderland, drawing visitors from all over the country.
Airlines do their best to reunite misplaced luggage with its owners, but sometimes, despite months of searching, some bags just go unclaimed. After 90 days, the airlines sell these abandoned suitcases to the Unclaimed Baggage Center, where the team sorts through everything, restocks the showroom, and gives you a chance to snag some incredible finds. Step inside, and it’s like a giant treasure hunt — you never know what you’ll find. There are entire sections filled with clothing, electronics, books, jewelry, and even unexpected oddities (think wedding dresses and musical instruments). Some lucky shoppers have even found high-end designer pieces for a fraction of the price.
Unclaimed Baggage is a one-of-a-kind store located in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, Scottsboro, Alabama by Library of Congress licensed under the public domain
Scottsboro is in northeastern Alabama, about a two-hour drive from Nashville or Atlanta, and just an hour from Huntsville. New inventory arrives daily, which means every visit is different. The store is open Monday through Saturday, and if you want an awesome selection, showing up early on a weekday is the way to go. If you’re feeling competitive, you might want to get there early — some items go fast, and people travel from all over just to shop here. The store even has a ‘Museum of Finds’ featuring some of the wildest items ever discovered in lost luggage, including a suit of armor and an 18th-century violin.
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My Fiero at the Unclaimed Baggage Center, Scottsboro, AL by artistmac licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0
Believe it or not, the Unclaimed Baggage Center isn’t just about scoring great deals — it’s also big on giving back. A large portion of the unclaimed items they receive never even make it to the sales floor. Instead, the store donates millions of dollars’ worth of clothing, prescription glasses, medical supplies, and other essentials to charities around the world through their Reclaimed for Good program. So while you’re searching for your next great find, you can feel good knowing that plenty of other items are going to people in need. It’s just one more reason why this quirky Alabama destination is well worth the trip.
[Featured Image: Unclaimed Baggage sign in Scottsboro, Alabama by the United States Library of Congress licensed under the public domain]
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