RON SWARNER: DELUXE THRIFT STORE TO CLOSE >>>

Buddy Parent is forced to close his beloved Deluxe Thrift Store at 1205 Martin Luther King Jr. Way on Hilltop Tacoma.

The economy is the main factor behind his decision to close the store.

"All the stressful elements kind of weren't worth it anymore, in terms of the decline and people not spending their money as much as they did before," Parent says. "I love this store, but it has drained my bank account."

Parent will close the store on Oct. 26. In the meantime, everything in the store has been marked 50 percent off, which includes cool stereo cabinet equipped with record player ($75); old silver from the Heathman Hotel in Portland ($75); original artwork (a few by Parent); wheelchairs; tools; queen oak headboards; a suede Hartmann suitcase ($650 marked down to $75); mannequins; punch bowls; 400-500 albums ($30 for all); Russian hats; Halloween and Christmas decorations; glassware; and on and on.

Stop by while the deals last. Parent keeps it open Monday-Saturday.