A small retail store in Scottsboro, Alabama, is reaching far beyond its four walls.
Unclaimed Baggage takes orphaned suitcases and gives them a second life.
After purchasing items left unclaimed, staff bring them to the store, where they either sell or donate them to various charities worldwide.
Whether partnering with Love Luggage to provide bags for foster children or restoring wheelchairs for Wheels for the World, Unclaimed Baggage’s model reflects God who is making things new.
"We believe there is a story in every bag," said Jennifer Kritner, president of retail and company culture with Unclaimed Baggage. "We see that as our purpose, to redeem these items for good."
In her 27 years with the store, Kritner has seen many interesting items come through their doors.
"One was the 40-carat Colombian raw emerald. It wasn't set into anything. At the time it appraised at $32,000," said Kritner. "In the late 1990s, we had it in our showcase for about $16,000."
She says in the late 90s the store also received a truck full of beautifully painted kimonos. Another time they opened up a trunk full of Versace runway gowns.
Some other items that have come through the store include aluminum fire suits, shrunken heads, a live rattlesnake, Egyptian artifacts, a signed Michael Jordan basketball and an autographed Muhammed Ali cowboy hat.
While most items are put on the floor to sell, some go into a small museum within the store. The rest gets donated to people in need.
"We are really passionate and excited about what we do," said Kitner. "Our purpose at Unclaimed Baggage is to redeem the lost, the unclaimed, interjected, for the glory of God. It's not for the glory of Unclaimed Baggage. It is truly a kingdom-minded business."