Treasure Island

A bargain hunter's dream in Alabama and online.

by Stefanie Berry

An eternal travel question: What do airlines do with luggage that, for whatever reason, goes unclaimed? Find out by perusing the treasures at the one-of-a-kind Unclaimed Baggage Center (www.unclaimedbaggage.com), an Alabama-based purgatory for spiffy watches, diamond rings, golf clubs and everything in between.

Thanks to the sophisticated global tracking systems that airlines use today, less than .005 percent of the billions of bags checked each year are permanently lost. But those that cannot be reunited with their owners are shipped to Unclaimed Baggage in Scottsboro, Ala. (airlines declare bags "unclaimed" after 90 days of intensive tracking).

Founded in 1970 by the Owens family as a part-time business, Unclaimed Baggage became a full-time gig before long. Today, the store is larger than a city block and comes complete with a concierge desk where customers can get help with store navigation and information about where to stay in Scottsboro (thanks to the fun treasure hunt that Unclaimed Baggage offers, the town has become a destination). There's even an in-store café and play area for kids.

So, what will you find? Think about what travelers take on trips, and you'll get an idea. Yes, a wall of cameras holds dozens of point-and-shoot varieties starting at just $10 (more substantial cameras are plentiful but cost more). CDs are stacked high and marked as low as $3.50 each. Books reside here too, as do CD-ROM games, Game Boys and VHS movies (about $5 each). Of course, you'll find luggage, clothing (all freshly laundered, dry-cleaned and pressed), sporting equipment and more—all at great prices. The center also houses a jewelry department, set up boutique-style with treasures displayed under glass cases.

If you want a walk through the Unclaimed Baggage's bounty, make your pilgrimage to 509 West Willow St. in Scottsboro, Ala. (256-259-1525). If you don't see yourself getting close to Scottsboro anytime soon, check out the center's Web site, where you can shop online. Make sure to click on the "What Is It" section—look at pictures and read a written description of a mysterious item, then take a guess, submit your answers via email and see if you're a winner.