Bargains galore at biannual MLT sale

By By Lynette Wilson / staff writer
Oct. 31, 2002
One woman's trash is another woman's treasure at the biannual Meridian Little Theatre's Fall Variety Shop sale.
A vintage Gucci wallet priced at 50 cents might be lying right under your nose.
The MLT's Guild's two-day rummage sale is Friday and Saturday. The guild also has a sale in the spring.
Pam Johnson, the guild's president, said traditionally, the fall sale raises more money than the spring sale.
The 35-member guild, formed in 1967, is the primary fund-raiser for the Meridian Little Theatre. The guild works behind the scenes to make renovations and theatrical productions possible.
Bob Stivers, a long-time theatre member, said the sales are the biggest fund-raiser the MLT Guild has and that they do a wonderful job.
Last year the guild paid for a new roof. Past renovation projects include refurbishing the stage and remodeling the kitchen.
Good donated for the sale are tax-deductible and come from the theatre's 1,700 members, said Norma Veach, guild member.
She said the guild receives a lot of really good stuff and a lot of junk, but nothing is thrown away.
Mabel Merritt, an original member of the guild, said that before the theatre opened in its current location, the sale was held in a vacant building downtown.
Merritt said she likes working the sale because it allows her to get to know some of the newer members.
Each guild member spends no less than 10 hours pricing items and preparing for the sale, and three hours selling.
The MLT Guild added a storage room to the theatre and accepts donations year-round.