In August of 2013, Wes Dunn opened Dunn’s Attic in the beautiful downtown of Ormond Beach. A place where customers consign their items for the best possible price or purchase items to decorate their homes or office space. Dunn’s Attic is more than an upscale consignment store. It is a destination location where customers can enjoy breakfast or lunch and browse through the store’s unique inventory. The Dunn family history is as deeply rooted and interesting as some of the antiques sold in the store. But don’t be misled, antiques are just a small part of the most incredible selection of unique items with character that they have to offer.
The Dunn family has owned and operated businesses in this area for over a hundred years spanning seven generations. The first of the businesses was Dunn Bros Hardware, founded in 1905 on Beach Street in downtown Daytona Beach. Over the years, the Dunn family expanded into other businesses, including lumber, marine, auto, and paint supplies. Most notably an international award-winning toy store that continues today to provide wonderful memories of times past. Family members were active in the daily operations of all of the businesses, and founder John T. Dunn was noted for his “on the spot” approach to customer service. He actually painted a circle just inside the front door of the hardware store and required an employee to always be on the spot to help customers as they entered the store. Maybe the first “Walmart” greeters? This commitment to exceptional customer service is one of the cornerstones of the current business. The spot is not literally on the floor of Dunn’s Attic today, but the same commitment to customer service is always on display as they welcome folks and make sure that they know that the entire staff is glad they are there.
Creating an experience unlike most shopping experiences today while providing great quality products at reasonable prices is just the beginning. The Dunn family is always looking to give back to the community that has supported them for generations. Through the consignment and estate sale process, consigner checks totaling over $2.5 million have been handed out, and the number continues to grow each day. For estate sale services, the family is trusted to help eliminate unwanted items, typically during stressful and emotional times. While the consignment style of selling is beneficial to the selling community, it also affords the buying public to purchase locally good quality items at a great price. For that reason, the phrase “friends don’t let friends buy retail” really rings true.
The experience doesn’t stop with shopping. Rosie’s Café (named after Wes’ wife Rosanne) offers the chance to get a fresh home-cooked breakfast or lunch every day till 4. To add to the enjoyment, you can sip on a $1 mimosa as you stroll through the store listening to classical music. The café is involved with giving back to the community as well. Their “Pancakes with a Cause” program allows local schools and nonprofits to raise funds with an “all you dare to eat” pancake breakfast.
Dunn’s Attic is an Ormond Beach treasure, and unlike any other store you’ve been in. Owned and operated by a family committed to the community where they have lived for generations, the store is a must for visitors and locals alike. A new website was recently launched for the store, which shows all that is offered by Dunn’s, so now the store’s experience starts online – and a new digital era of retail has begun for the Dunn’s Family.
