Reprint from Women 8-14-07
Sellin’ It Like It Is
Consignment and resale store owners
Jill Nelson
Chic to Chic, Appleton
How did you choose to become a consignment shop owner?
Tammy (Eiting, her co-owner) and I are similar in that we both worked outside the home while we were first married, and then for 13 years were stay-at-home moms raising three children each while dabbling in part-time careers.
We had several discussions on the big question “What do we want to do when we ‘grow up’”? After brainstorming the things that we like to do (many months and several cups of coffee later), we knew that we wanted to open our own business.
We combined all the things we love to do; shop, work with people, and still be able to be with our family a majority of the time.
Opening a consignment boutique was the perfect fit for us. Our overhead is low, we have great consigners bringing in their clothing and accessories, our customers are a pleasure to work with and we only each work 25 hours per week!
What can people expect to find in your store?
When a woman walks into Chic to Chic, she can expect to find something just for her.
We carry mall brand/name brand clothing that is gently used and still in style such as J.Jill, Limited Express, Hollister and Chicos. Chic to Chic has a large number of items with store tags still on of things that were never worn.
If a woman is looking to enter the workforce, we can help her select an outfit to help her get her that job. Once she gets that job, she’ll need a whole new wardrobe and we have it all right here: casual wear, formal dresses, shoes and jewelry.
We also have clothing for women who are in the process of changing sizes and don’t want to pay full price to stay in style. We carry sizes from double 00 to 4X so moms, daughters and grandmothers can shop together.
We also offer some new jewelry, belts, handbags and Lucky name brand clothing.
What are your top sellers?
I think our No. 1 top seller is not only the clothing and accessories, but the whole consignment experience.
Why would you ever pay full price for anything anymore? Many of women don’t know what consignment is, so once we explain it to them and they leave with awesome finds they return bringing their sisters, daughters and friends.
As far as top-selling labels I’d have to say the designer brands sell very well, such as Coach, Prada, Marc Jacobs, etc.
We also have a large customer base that finds great deals on Limited, Cache, Eddie Bauer and New York and Co. to name a few.
Tammy Eiting
Chic to Chic, Appleton
What is one of the strangest items brought into your shop?
One of the strangest items brought in was a bag of someone’s garbage! A woman’s husband brought it in, mistaking it for the bags of clothes his wife asked him to drop off.
Let’s just say it was quite a surprise to open!
Do you frequently shop at consignment shops?
Jill and I are very lucky in the fact that we are best friends and in business together. While we do not shop for store merchandise at other shops or thrift stores, we do like to travel and spend a girls’ day out going to other great consignment boutiques we hear about from our customers to see how they do things and shop for our own closets.
In fact 90 percent of my wardrobe is derived from consignment boutiques!
What is the most rewarding aspect of owning a consignment shop?
I love shopping and dressing trendy but the last 5 years I had a limited budget so now I feel I can help other women who are in the same position.
We are also able to help women in the community who are re-entering the work force after some time and need a new wardrobe and don’t know where to start.
We often get asked for fashion advice as women put outfits together for special occasions. The best part is how wonderful she feels leaving our boutique knowing she looks great at a fraction of the price!