If you like to periodically revamp your wardrobe or update furniture and home décor—and who doesn’t?—consignment shopping offers a cost-saving and environmentally friendly alternative to an otherwise single-use world.
The key, according to Celine Brandon, owner of Stillwater’s Lived-in Room, is to consider consignment sooner than later. “We want quality, gently used furniture,” she says of her store’s wares. “Think newer Pottery Barn or Pier 1.” She also accepts some vintage and antique items, but like almost all consignment shops, everything requires pre-approval, and she never takes upholstered items from smoking or pet-owning households. High standards, yes, but Brandon is in the business of selling. She’ll pay you 50 percent of her sale price if an item sells quickly.
Cheryl Conzemius of Second Tyme Around clothing consignment store in Hastings agrees that up-to-date fashions (newer than 3 years old) that are clean and in excellent condition are most likely to sell. So recycle in a different way this spring—what follows is our list of furniture, clothing and accessory consigners in the Valley.
The Lived-in Room
A lot of variety in inventory, including interior design.
Cost: $10–$2,000
Hours: Noon–5 p.m. Tue.–Fri., 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Sat.
Second Tyme Around
The store features women’s clothing with some children’s, maternity and men’s. Also sells brand-new fashion accessories (jewelry, scarves, sandals, purses).
Cost: Competitive prices
Hours: 10 a.m.–7 p.m. Mon.–Thu., 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Fri.–Sat., noon–4 p.m. Sun.
Under the Umbrella
Owner Katherine B. Francis is also a licensed Realtor and a certified home appraiser, and welcomes families needing to sell homes and everything (clothing aside) in them.
Cost: Starts at $10
Hours: 1–5 p.m. Fri.–Sun.
Osceola Interiors
Owner David Smith sells new and used furniture and home décor. “On the floor right now is a table made out of two different pianos,” he says.
Cost: Prices vary
Hours: 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Tue.–Thu., 10 a.m.–6 p.m. Fri., 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Sat.
The Second Star
Accepts and sells vintage and modern household items, and men’s and women’s clothing.
Cost: $1–$100; most items less than $20
Hours: 11:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m. Wed., Fri., Sat.; 11:30 a.m.–7 p.m. Thu.; noon –5 p.m. Sun.
Be Bumble
Be Bumble’s website boasts upscale children’s consignment offering quality clothing, gifts, books, toys and baby equipment.
Cost: Prices vary
Hours: 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Tue.–Sat.
Eye Candy Refind
Owner Lacy Vreeland’s specialties are repurposed and refinished furniture, handmade home décor and vintage finds. Also sells new clothing.
Cost: Nothing more than $400
Hours: Afton store, 11 a.m.–5 p.m. Thu.– Fri., 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Sat., noon–4 p.m. Sun.
Munchkin Markets
What sets these exclusively children’s items consigners apart is that they have no storefront, instead holding weekend-long seasonal sales in a variety of locations.
Cost: Prices vary
Hours: 9 a.m.–4 p.m. Sat., 9 a.m.–2 p.m. Sun.
