There’s Actually A Store In Alabama That Sells Unclaimed Airport Baggage

If you’ve ever lost your bags at the airport, you might be able to find them in Alabama. The Unclaimed Baggage Center in Scottsboro buys and sells the contents of unclaimed airport bags and claims to be the only retailer of lost luggage in the United States. Customers can sift through valuable items that were never intended to be donated and find some cool hidden gems.

The Unclaimed Baggage Center “buys orphaned bags and gives them a second life.” The items in each bag are either sold in the store, donated to those in need, or recycled.

Here’s how it works: unclaimed bags are given a three-month period — during which the airport tries to determine and locate the owner. After that, the bag is considered an “orphan” and can be sold. We always wondered what happened with lost baggage.

This quirky business is essentially a way to rehome forgotten luggage, making it a goldmine for graphic tees, gadgets, jewelry, and more.

Most of it is clothing, but almost anything you would pack for a vacation can be found in the store. Cameras, watches, and headphones are just a few of the common things for sale.

Some items in the shop are really valuable, including expensive belongings like Louis Vuitton heels, diamond rings, and laptops among many other glittering goodies.

The business began 50 years ago when Doyle Owens from Alabama sold the contents of lost bags he picked up in Washington, D.C. The store opened in 1978, and the rest is history, as they say.

The Unclaimed Baggage Center posts some of the available merchandise on the store’s Instagram page, while their website serves as a place for event announcements, information regarding the company’s history and how the process works.

Put this one-of-a-kind store on your Alabama bucket list. You could score some seriously awesome stuff, or maybe, if you’re really lucky, find the stuff you lost at the airport.

Unclaimed Baggage Center

Price: Free entry; the price per item will vary.

Address: 509 W. Willow St., Scottsboro, AL

Why You Need To Go: Search for common-day buried treasures at this unique retailer in Alabama that sells lost items from forgotten airport luggage.