Cedar Park store sells new, used and unique furniture

A 10-foot-tall aluminum rooster regularly occupies the corner of FM 1431 and US 183 in Cedar Park—one of the city's busiest intersections—to attract curious furniture buyers to Austin's Consignment Depot.

Owner Adam Block said the yard art, sofas and tables staged outside advertise just some of the items that make his store unique.

"We are trying to show people what this store is, because a lot of people still associate us with Winkley's Trading Post. It was here at this location for about 30 years and kind of a local landmark," he said. "Some people still come in asking for paint or odd parts, but we say go ahead and browse around while you're here."

Austin's Consignment Depot has three buildings full of tables and chairs, dressers, bar stools, wall art, patio pieces, mattresses and more. Some is consigned, Adam said, while other merchandise comes directly from companies such as Ashley Furniture.

"I order new products every week, and then there are consignments. We don't do a ton of consignments here, but what we do have changes every other day; we are always getting new stuff in," he said. "We have a lot of the distressed pieces that people tend to like the shuttered chests and cabinets. We have the outdoor metal art and tons of wall decor."

Adam opened the store about three and-a-half years ago after working at a consignment furniture store in downtown Austin the previous decade. Staying in the industry was a natural choice, he said.

"I love the business and the different people we meet here. With us being a consignment store, you have more of a regular customer base than other furniture stores," he said. "It's also the concept of always having something new, items that I've never even seen before."

Shoppers looking for the perfect addition to their home can browse and order from catalogs available at the store. Michael Block, a store manager and Adam's brother, said the depot buys new furniture from more than 40 vendors in addition to consignments, which can sometimes offer the most unique and desirable items.

"Ideally, we'd love to have more consignment but it just comes and goes so quickly. A lot of people won't even know about the cool stuff that comes in, because if it's neat, it's gone and you won't see it again," Michael said. "We sell a lot, and we move a lot of it very quick. More than half of the stuff we have coming in is already preordered, so it doesn't sit here too long before the customer comes in to pick it up."

Those looking to sell can establish a price with the store and get paid after the item sells, Adam said. Selling prices on most merchandise can also be negotiated.

"If you bring stuff down here, you and I would agree what you're going to get for it, and that's what you'll get for it after it sells," he said. "With sales, let me know if you don't like something and sometimes there's some room, especially if you try to bundle things."

Austin's Consignment Depot, 909 N. Bell Blvd., Cedar Park, 250-5077, www.austinsconsignmentdepot.com