Discovering Lost Treasures in Scottsboro
In the small town of Scottsboro, Alabama, a unique retail store has become a national phenomenon. Unclaimed Baggage, spanning over 50,000 square feet, is the only retailer in the United States dedicated to selling items from lost and unclaimed airline luggage. Since its founding in 1970 by Doyle Owens, the store has attracted over a million visitors annually, drawn by the promise of discovering hidden gems among the 7,000 new items added to its inventory each day.
The concept is simple yet fascinating: when airlines fail to reunite luggage with its owners after a 90-day search period, the bags are deemed lost, and owners are compensated. Unclaimed Baggage then purchases these abandoned suitcases by the truckload, bringing them back to Scottsboro for processing. Items are meticulously opened, inspected, cleaned, and sorted for sale, donation, or disposal, offering shoppers discounts of 20 to 80 percent off retail prices.
A World of Unexpected Finds
The inventory at Unclaimed Baggage is as diverse as the travelers who once owned the bags. Shoppers can stumble upon everything from designer clothing, jewelry, and electronics to more bizarre finds like suits of armor, ancient violins, and even a $64,000 platinum Rolex watch. Bryan Owens, who inherited the business from his father, captures the intrigue of these items, saying, 'If these bags could talk, what a story they'd have to tell.'
Beyond everyday goods, the store has gained fame for hosting unique events like its Annual Ski Sale, now in its 44th year. Set for November 1, this event transforms Scottsboro into a winter sports shopping hub, drawing thousands of skiers and snowboarders to browse over 50,000 square feet of skis, snowboards, helmets, and apparel sourced from lost luggage. The store's ever-changing stock ensures that no two visits are ever the same.
Recognition for Unclaimed Baggage extends beyond its physical location, earning a spot in Tripadvisor's 2025 Travelers' Choice Awards as a top 10 percent travel destination. This accolade underscores its status not just as a store, but as a cultural attraction where visitors can experience the thrill of uncovering lost treasures from around the world.
The Process Behind the Bargains
The journey of lost luggage to Unclaimed Baggage begins with the airlines' efforts to locate owners. As Matt Owens, head of business planning at Unclaimed Baggage, explains, 'The standard is the airlines will conduct a three-month search for the original owner.' Once this period lapses without a reunion, the claims process kicks in, and the luggage is considered salvage.
At the store, each bag undergoes a thorough evaluation. Items deemed sellable are priced well below retail value, making high-end goods accessible to a wider audience. Those that don't meet sales criteria are often donated, ensuring that as much as possible is repurposed rather than discarded. This systematic approach not only fuels a thriving business but also offers a second life to countless belongings that might otherwise be forgotten.