As soon as I opened the door I knew this was my kind of store. There was a display with two Manolo Blahnik shoe boxes. Ahhh...love it! Then I looked toward the back wall which featured beautiful spring clothes in colorful pastels. On the side of the display.....three Chanel boxes.
I was trying to remember that I was at DC Natick Consignments for this blog, not to shop! It was my mantra for the entire time I was there. Had to keep repeating it as Mike Hajjar, the store's owner, showed me around.He opened the upscale consignment store on Route 9 in Natick two years ago, right next to his family's men's store. And on a funny little side note...he's related to Denise Hajjar, a Boston clothing designer who has her shop in the Fairmont Copley. Most definitely a small world.
DC Natick is more boutique than consignment. The clothes are current styles and are only around two years old. Designer jackets, jeans, jewelry...and shoes! Oh the shoes! Manolo Blahnik, Jimmy Choo, Chanel, Dior and Fendi. Just to name a few. I picked up a pair of Manolo Blahnik shoes....black pointed toe kitten heels. Adorable. I also checked out a pair of Fendi stilettos that had the iconic logo covering the shoes.
On the counter was a display of fantastic and fun cocktail rings. Handbags were gently placed on the shelves above the racks. You could access everything without feeling as if you had to push other things aside. The racks were organized by style and size. I pulled out a cropped jacket that I could pair with jeans or a skirt. It was cream with a silver thread sewn through the tweed fabric with three quarter length sleeves. Oh the places we could go!
I also spotted (though it was hard to miss) a new addition to the inventory, a Louis Vuitton weekend bag with wheels on the bottom. The bag still had the box from Louis Vuitton and the gigantic Louis Vuitton store bag. Since the store puts prices at about 1/3 of retail, someone is going to get a great deal on a barely used Louis. (no I didn't buy it. I kept repeating my mantra!)
Since the store opened in May 2009 they've become a go-to spot for consignment shoppers....and consignors. In just two years they've developed relationships with 1200 consignors. Some of them have specialties. Mike told me there is a woman who consigns a lot of Chanel (I need to meet her) and there is another who brings in a lot of Tiffany jewelry. So you know when you're in that shop you're getting the best from people who have taken care of their things. Now it's your turn to enjoy them.
I did ask Mike how he handles it if someone brings in a questionable handbag. One that could be counterfeit. And I knew that I could never promote a store that sells counterfeits. So I was glad to find out he's incredibly careful when accepting handbags from new consignors and if he ever questions the bag's authenticity he won't take it.
He's also selective with the quality of the items. No rips, tears...nothing a customer would have to repair. Mike says the consignment shop is like an upscale recycling center. Consignors will clean out their closets, looking to add new things. Instead of throwing out perfectly worn outfits, they bring them in to the consignment shop. He does a 60/40 deal with consignors. The store gets 60% of the sale, consignor 40%.
It's a way for fashionistas to "trade up" their style. If you want designer clothes, but don't want to pay designer prices, a store like DC Natick is the perfect place.
A fashion lover's paradise.
While I was there I met Lauren, a frequent consignment store shopper. She said DC Natick was one of the best she's been in. And I could tell by the store bag in her hand it was a successful trip.
It was successful for me too. i learned about the world of consignment. And I spotted a few things I think I may go back for.
After all...I've written the blog, now I can shop! Wonder if those Manolo Blahniks were in my size.....
Find more information about DC Natick Consignments on their websiteL http://www.dcnatick.com/
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