A Second Life For Every Bag-What Happens to Lost Luggage

Unclaimed Baggage-Scottsboro, Alabama

Have you ever wondered what the airlines, and other travel and shipping companies do what items abandoned by customers? After going through the process of trying to locate owners and paying out claims, they sell them to third party liquidators. The only major physical retailer in the U.S. is the famous “Unclaimed Baggage ” store in Scottsboro, Alabama.

An orange vintage pickup truck loaded with colorful unclaimed luggage in front of a mural welcoming visitors to the Unclaimed Baggage Center.
1965 Chevy pickup filled with suitcases

The company has exclusive contracts with major airlines to purchase and resell lost or unclaimed luggage contents after airlines have exhausted efforts to return them to their owners. The 50,000 square foot store sells clothes, shoes, electronics, jewelry and luxury goods.

Interior view of a retail store featuring various merchandise, a welcome sign, and information desk. A man walks past a shopping cart station while shoppers browse.
entrance showroom
A display of various athletic and casual shoes organized on racks in a retail store, with a wooden floor and a colorful chair visible in the foreground.
shoes
A rack displaying a variety of formal dresses in different colors and styles, including white, red, pink, blue, and others, arranged neatly in a clothing store.
formal wear
Inside view of a thrift store with racks of clothing, featuring a variety of dresses in different colors and styles, along with hats displayed above the racks.
Ladies clothes
Interior view of a jewelry store showcasing display cases filled with various jewelry items, with clear glass tops and bright lighting, and a designated jewelry section in the background.
Jewelry
A retail store interior showcasing racks of clothing, including pants, jeans, and shorts, along with a wooden floor.
Mens clothes
Display of various black headphones and devices on racks in a retail store.
headphones and e-readers from lost luggage

Visitors should plan their trip with a full day to shop for all the bargains. Restrooms and a cafe are available for a break from all the shopping excitement. Unclaimed Baggage a perfect example of what can happen when a person acts upon a great idea.

Informational sign from 1970 detailing the story of Doyle Owens and the beginnings of a business, featuring images and text about his journey and a fun fact about lost luggage.
1970 story of Doyle Owens

Million of pieces of luggage items end up at the store each year and some are the unusual. Online shopping is also available.

Interior of a store display themed around unclaimed luggage, featuring colorful bags and a wall graphic that promotes repurposing bags, alongside a screen showing information about the unclaimed bag journey.
Unclaimed luggage journey
A close-up of two pairs of boots on a display table; one pair features colorful flamingo designs and the other is a black fur-lined boot.
Flamingo cowboy boots
A pair of stylish black shoes and a pair of red crocodile leather shoes displayed on a shelf, highlighting different textures and designs.
Red leather loafer

Once you make your way to the “bargain basement”, boxes are stacked up and ready to be sold un-opened. This is where you may get lucky, and if you don’t it will still be fun. These were priced at $25.00 and they are labeled by gender and size.

A display of stacked cardboard boxes labeled 'Men's' in a retail store, with a sign reading 'Mega Mystery Bundles 75% OFF' and clothing racks in the background.
Mystery bundles at Unclaimed baggage.

The store is located at 509 W Willow Street in Scottsboro, Alabama.

Alice DeForest

Enjoying my retirement plan of gallivanting from one place to another. I’m inviting you to tag along to explore Coastal Georgia, South Carolina and beyond.

A Little bit about me
FOWC With Fandango — Boxes

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