Aguero Family Outlet, a retailer offering overstock items at discounted prices, opened at 840 Chestnut St., Lebanon, about a year and a half ago.
It’s operated by Maria and Junior Aguero. The couple’s two children Kalia and Justin also help out when they’re on break from college.
“Over the years I’ve sold some crafts and have done other small things. As a woman of color, it was important for me to have my own business, not just for me but also for my kids, so they could see that they have a lot of possibilities. That desire also became Junior’s,” Maria Aguero said.
The business sells overstock and liquidation items from Amazon as well as retailers such as Bed Bath & Beyond and Walmart. Items may include laptops and gaming units, home office furnishings, tables, luggage, backpacks, food storage containers, fans, diapers, toys, textiles such as comforter sets and small appliances such as coffeemakers or tabletop microwaves.
The name reflects not only the fact that a variety of items that can be used by a family can be found there, but also the fact that it’s a family-owned business.
Maria said the business began in the family’s garage and then expanded to a retail location in Lebanon.
“We live in Lebanon, so when we looked for a retail location, we wanted to be downtown, wanted to help our community being a downtown business,” she said. “We offer merchandise that people don’t usually find downtown, and it’s at a reasonable price. Saving some money wherever you can is really important today.”
The Lebanon retail store opened just before the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Our retail store closed (in accordance with Gov. Wolf’s shut-down order), but people could buy items via our Facebook posts. That was really important since some of the items we have such as diapers were hard to find,” Maria explained.
As the business grew, the couple discussed adding a second location. After examining their customer base, they found that while many customers were from the Lebanon area, there were also a number from around Manheim. A second location at 25 S. Main St., Manheim, opened in May. Each store is stocked with a different variety of items, so Facebook page postings include a photo of the item, price, and the location (Lebanon or Manheim).
A warehouse is located at 1022 Willow St., Lebanon, and periodically warehouse or pallet sales are held there. Large items including appliances such as washer and dryers are sold at the warehouse rather than the Lebanon or Manheim retail facilities. Information about pallet sales or appliances is also posted on the Facebook page.
“Selling the larger items out of the warehouse is a lot easier; we don’t have to transport them to either of the stores,” Junior said.
Sometimes a pallet or shipment may contain food items, and those items are donated to the community. Aguero Family Outlet also gives back to its customers and the community by hosting special activities.
A book bag drive was held in August prior to the beginning of school. Book bags filled with back-to-school items donated by area residents and businesses were distributed in the parking lot at both the Lebanon and Manheim locations.
Aguero Family Outlet hours are Monday through Saturday noon. to 8 p.m. For further information about Aguero Family Outlet, call 717-454-0398 or visit the store’s Facebook page.
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