Thrifting for bargains an easy venture in local community

By Sara Smith
Posted Thursday, July 3, 2008

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By Sara L. Smith
VIEW Staff Writer
GRAND BLANC — With a cornucopia of resale and consignment shops around the Grand Blanc community, hunting down a bargain or finding that one can’t-live-without item for a fraction of the cost is relatively easy these days.

A number of resale shops — catering to every aspect of the consignment and thrift store contingent, from designer apparel, jewelry and accessories for women, men and children to furniture, antiques and home décor to toys, books, music and movies — and everything in between — can be found, all within a few miles.

And in today’s sluggish economy, making a buck stretch a bit farther, without a long drive at $4-plus gallon gasoline, is a welcome relief.

Blossomdale’s, a resale shop featuring upscale apparel for women on Fenton Rd., boasts next-to-clothing from in-demand fashion labels such as Juicy Couture, Karen Kane, Chico’s and Jones New York.

“Just think of it like Bloomingdale’s,” said owner Julie Ann Hope. “Everything is next to new in condition and we set the prices at about 20 percent of the typical manufacturer’s suggested retail price.”

The general consensus in the consignment and resale store market is to price an item at around 30 percent of its original estimated cost.

Finding a great bargain isn’t hard to come by, but you need to shop regularly, say many consignment shop owners.

A Chanel jacket was scooped up very recently at Blossomdale’s for only $60 — a slight fraction of its likely original minimum price tag of several hundred dollars, Hope said.

Top Shelf Clothing on Grand Blanc Rd., offers a wide variety of fashionable items for the teen and college crowd, serving up typical mall labels like Abercrombie & Fitch, Hollister and American Eagle to a younger market.

“It looks like a boutique in here,” said Julie Croft-Morley, who co-owns the store with her husband, Brian.
In this struggling economy, resale and thrift stores are the way to go, say many in the consignment business.

Both Hope and Croft-Morley say that business has been strong, despite downtowns elsewhere in the retail marketplace.

If hunting for baby gear or children’s apparel is a priority, then hit Waddles & Toddles, a resale shop offering just about everything for baby or the mom-to-be. The shop is located on E. Grand Blanc Rd. Maternity wear and infant and children’s clothing is on tap, with enough baby furniture and gear to stock a nursery. Everything from newborn onesies to children’s casual wear and formal dresses to cribs and strollers is offered.

At Second Act Consignments on Reid St., everything from glassware and dishes to hardback books and CDs to handbags and jewelry can be found at deep discounts, while at Rosie’s First Class Consignments, top-notch accessories for the home and decorative accents abound, ranging from fine art to furniture. A small line of fine jewelry currently is available. The store is housed in the same plaza as Blossomdale’s.
“I try to keep the costs down low,” said shop owner Rose Strominger. “I have signed pieces of artwork going for around $100-$200 each, compared to being listed at three to four times that price in a conventional furniture gallery. In this economy, it’s definitely the best way to do things. You really don’t have to go any farther than Grand Blanc to get whatever you’re looking for.”

Spoiled Rotten, a resale shop catering to children and the pre-teen market, is expected to open up in the same plaza as Blossomdale’s next week.