Secret Shopper - Designer Consignor

Ever since I was a young child, I have patronized consignment and thrift shops. My mom probably got us started because the six children in our family were born within four years of each other, and the best way to make sure we all had a closet full of clothes was to buy second-hand. Since then, I have loved shopping at consignment and thrift shops, both as a young, single mother and as a career woman. I can easily buy several outfits for my child and myself at a fraction of the typical cost. Many items even contain designer names. An article in last month’s Plain Dealer also suggested that shopping at second-hand stores is a great way to save money.

One consignment shop that we are fortunate to have here in Lakewood is Designer Consignor, at 17118 Detroit Avenue. This shop was formerly Westgate Resale; however, Designer Consignor has a fresh look. It is less cluttered and displays a wide variety of clothing, shoes, jewelry, and household items. Upon entering the store, you will receive a warm welcome from owner Molly Beargie and her employees. It’s a great place to shop and you can even bring clothes there to sell, in order to make room for your new outfits! Molly graciously agreed to donate formal dresses to Cinderella’s Closet, where dresses are available to high school girls for free, if they do not sell at her store. She did this without knowing that I write the Secret Shopper.

If you have not explored resale shopping, you may want to reconsider after discovering that you can purchase a complete outfit for under $30. And, if you have a teenager, you know that you can hardly buy a pair of jeans for that price at the mall. I literally put together an outfit containing a designer name sweater, a pair of brand name jeans, and a pair of leather boots for $30!

By writing this column, I intend to introduce more shops to residents that have a nice inventory as well as a warm atmosphere. Customers need and deserve both, and small shops deserve your business. I hope you find some new outfits at Designer Consignor soon, but wait until I get back there first!
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Volume 2, Issue 25, Posted 11:11 AM, 11.30.06