KRISTA CURRY: FIRST STOP, DOWNTOWN TACOMA >>>

In urbanXchange â€" located at 19th and Pacific in downtown Tacoma â€" I found it nearly impossible to keep from taking my wallet out. I did find it impossible to keep myself from trying on a pair of fabulous studded boots (which, tragically, were too small). urbanXchange, to one whose heart has been stolen by clothes many a time, is one of the greatest things about downtown Tacoma. A consignment shop, it specializes in "ultramodern and vintage attire." The store sells clothing in near-perfect to perfect condition at a range of prices.

"We have everything from $5 T-shirts to designer jeans that would usually run for $150 or $180 on sale here for $50-$60," says owner Julie Bennett. The jeans included brands like Seven, Lucky and Diesel â€" which, new, are ridiculously more expensive than the average college student (a big chunk of their client base) can afford.

Right now, urbanXchange has a multitude of coats for sale. Vintage coats, new coats, fur, leather, faux-fur and faux-leather for all you animal rights activists out there; they have an excellent selection. My personal favorite, a beautiful long wool and fleece-lined '60s-era coat that was in excellent condition, was selling for $60. I merely stared at it wistfully, regretting that I have about three more coats than I really need. Employee favorites included an adorable La Classe Couture brown blazer with flower-child-style embroidery for $25, a heavy-duty G-Star men's coat for $30, and a denim Levi jacket for $15.

Visit urbanXChange. You will leave with way more clothes than you need â€" but with deals like this you can't afford to miss out.

[urbanXchange, 1934 Pacific Ave., Tacoma, 253.572.2280]

Bargain Guide Feb. 5
ANNOUNCER: Krista’s post on urbanXchange is the first of many second-hand store reports she’ll be dropping on Spew in preparation for the Weekly Volcano’s Bargain Guide issue Feb. 5, 2009. The South Puget Sound is full of free and ridiculously cheap stuff â€" you just need to know where to look. Leave it to The Weekly Volcano to uncover all the ins and outs and exclusive bargains to be had, and to tell you the real deal with wit and humor.

To advertise in the section, call 253.584.1212 or email us at advertising@weeklyvolcano.com.