Business booming for resale shops

Don't call them hand-me-downs. Instead, call them "sell-arounds." Consignment merchandise is no longer considered second-class. It's economical, with a good selection and growing number of outlets in which everything from suits to suitcases can be found.

Consignment and resale of second-hand merchandise didn't really start growing until the early 1990s, when the stigma of buying used goods started to wear off. Shops are taking on a more upscale look these days.

"Business here is great," said Carol Schwettman, who operates Carol's Closet and Carol-Cyn's Fashion at 19 N. Main in downtown Cape Girardeau. "A lot of businesswomen shop here."

Schwettman's inventory at her store is about 75 percent consignment. "I started out selling new clothing only, but as the market grew for used clothing, we've followed the trend," she said. "We have some men's clothing and accessories, but we specialize in women's wear."

Business is good for children's clothing, too.

"We've expanded, both in space and merchandise," said Clara Ellinghouse, owner of Kids Wear Again, 118 N. Main.

Kids Wear Again is just that -- clothing for children to wear again.

"We have quality children's clothing for all ages, infant through teens," said Ellinghouse, who also offers other items -- toys, baby beds and additional accessories.

Another consignment shop catering to infants through preteen is Hand Me Arounds, 2136 William, owned by Paula Schnurbusch and Suzanne Buchheit.

A few doors down the street from Kids Wear Again is ReRuns, owned by Cathy Davis, who specializes in women's name-brand clothing and accessories.

Davis started her store in the 600 block of Broadway, but added more space when she moved to 110 N. Main.

As many as a half-dozen consignment shops operate in Cape Girardeau, including one of the oldest and largest in town, The Cast-A-Ways, which opened more than 20 years ago and features two floors of clothing for men, women and children as well as a large assortment of household items.

Cast-A-Ways owner Ella Dowd, who started a small consignment shop at 633 Broadway in 1979 and moved to an 18,000-square-foot, two-level building at 502 Broadway in 1987.

"We specialize in a complete clothing line and accessories," she said. "We have some household items, small appliances and jewelry. We're busy here."

Another busy consignment shop is Dockside Furniture, a 20,000-square-foot business in Paddle Wheel Plaza, at 4 N. Spanish, owned by Wayne and Brenda Voss. "We've had busy days," Brenda Voss said. The business features home furnishings and other home accessories.

Different from thrifts

Thrift shops are not consignment stores, but they also offer a big retail, resale market. People bring items to consignment shops, which sell them for a percentage. People donate items to thrifts, which are usually sponsored by various community groups -- Goodwill, Salvation Army, Teen Challenge, church groups and others.

Thrifts in Cape Girardeau include Missouri Goodwill Industries Thrift, 250 Silver Springs Road; Salvation Army Thrift Store at 610 Independence; and Teen Challenge Thrift Store, 117 N. Middle.

Al Hoff, author of "Thrift Score," reveals a secret in consignment buying. Go shopping on Friday, he says in his book. Resale stores constantly restock and Friday is the day they prepare for Saturday, their busiest day.

Consignment and other resale shops are one of the fastest growing types of stores in the country, according to the National Association of Resale and Thrift Shops. It's a $1.5 billion-a-year business and growing steadily. It is estimated that there are approximately 15,000 shops open nationally.

A consignment shop can be a low-risk, recession-proof, high-profit-potential business -- the inventory is furnished free.

"But we still have overhead," Schwettman said. "There's rent for space, utilities and payroll."

Schwettman and others in the business say inventory is plentiful. If merchandise is in good condition, most people would rather sell it and pocket some extra cash than to toss it aside, say consignment owners.

For some, consigning clothing is a reason to celebrate. "Many times, people have changed sizes," said Schwettman. "They have completed a diet -- successfully -- and it's time to re-stock the closet."

Schwettman, Davis, Ellinghouse and others say they enjoy the business.

Another plus, they say, is that unsold merchandise doesn't gather dust in the attic. After 60 or 90 days, merchandise can be picked up by the owners. Otherwise, it is donated to charities or thrift shops.

rowen@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 133