The Barter Business Unlimited “showroom” in the old Boys & Girls Club building on Laurel Avenue could be a shopper’s dream or a recovering hoarder’s nightmare.
Bartering, which dates back to ancient Egypt, is a system of sharing goods and services.
“It’s kind of like a little secret, it’s not that well-known, but we have more than 2,000 businesses in Connecticut and 10,000 cardholders,” said BBU founder Debbie Lombardi. “We drive business to businesses and do promotions.”
Lombardi, has been in business since 1987 and has been working in the packed, three-story, warehouse-style building since 2008. There are 17 companies that work for the business, most as “trade consultants,” who help business owners figure out what they need and what they can offer.
“She’s like a force of nature. She’s so incredibly good at putting people together,” said Bristol Development Authority Director Justin Malley. “She went from practically nothing to where she is now. I have a lot of respect for her.”
The system works sort of like a bank for things or services of value, rather than cash, Lombardi explained.
A restaurant owner who needs a paint job might go to BBU and find a painter who is also a member. The painter would earn the true value of his services as credit anywhere in the BBU network.
“It’s not like Groupon or something, where you lose money by discounting,” Lombardi said. “We’re really organized, accounting statements. It’s value for value, dollar for dollar.”
Lombardi said she has so much inventory because she buys out closing businesses’ inventory, carries samples of her clients’ wares and has a few treasures of her own, including a life-size Spiderman figure.
A brightly lit showroom on the top floor features household appliances, toys, sporting equipment and just about “everything you can imagine, we have it — it’s endless,” she laughed.
“Sometimes people need guidance or help with where to go, so they come up here and spend time with the trade consultants,” Lombardi said, as she passed a couple examining some toys. “We’re kind of like a matchmaking service. We know our clients inside and out.”
Anyone can become a member of BBU. For information, visit bbu.com, or call 860-655-8894.
