Reprinted from Avon News, June 16, 2010
www.TheAvonNews.com
By BARBARA THOMAS
FOR THE AVON NEWS
AVON - For Melissa Sabo,
owning a consignment shop
means much more than being a
retailer. It's also about promoting
an environmentally-friendly way
of life.
"Instead of throwing things
away, I believe we should reuse as
much as we can," said Sabo, co-owner
of Consignment Boutique
in Old Avon Village.
On the shop's Web site, Sabo
posts a statistic stating that "over
65 percent of our waste consists
of clothing and household items.
More than one million tons are
dumped into landfills each year
with staggering disposal costs."
She hopes everyone will jump
on board by consigning, which
will not only make a difference
for the environment but can also
put some money back in consumer's
pockets.
"That's what makes this business
so much fun; it feels good
doing it," Sabo said.
Contributing to her karma is
that she donates items that are
not sold to local charities, including
the non-profit organization
Gifts of Love, a neighbor in Old
Avon Village.
"I have a great working relationship
with them," Sabo said. "I
love that they're here."
Consigners can drop off items
during regular business hours,
and she continues to accept items
even when the shop is "maxed
out," unlike some shops, as long
as the consigner brings in a food
item such as peanut butter or jelly
for Gifts of Love.
She also donates gift certificates
to the agency's clients so
they can come in and shop for
what they need.
Single and 32, Sabo went to
school for computer science engineering
and spent many years
caring for children, but she also
worked in consignment shops,
dreaming of one day having her
own.
"I've always loved the concept,"
she said.
With the help of her family,
Sabo opened Consignment
Boutique just over a year ago.
"It was my vision, but they all
came around to help make it happen,"
she said. "We all pitched in
and gave it a go."
While visiting Old Avon
Village one day she saw the
vacant building and met with
property manager Ann August
about leasing it. She chose Avon
because there were no other consignment
shops in town.
"I thought the possibilities
were endless and when my family
saw that I had a focus, they
pitched in."
A resident of Burlington, Sabo
is part of a large family based in
Torrington, where she grew up.
Not only did her family partner
in financing the business;
they were also involved with the
building's renovation and now
help run the shop.
Her father, Mark Sabo, did
the carpentry work and an uncle,
John Cardona, as well as her two
brothers, helped along the way.
"It looks completely different
now," she said, referring to the
shop building.
Design work for the renovation
was done by architect Jay
Davis, her significant other.
"He helped me see this through
fruition," she said.
It's the women in her family
who help with the shop's
operation, particularly her mother,
Valerie, but also her sisters,
Heather, Ashley and Christina.
Sabo also credits the owners
of other consignment shops in
the Valley and Torrington for
giving her advice and referrals.
Those who have been helpful
include Just Kids Inc., KJ's, and
Doubletake Consignment in
the Pink House, all in Canton,
Top Drawer in Granby, and LA
Consignment in Torrington.
"They all offered to do whatever
they could to help," Sabo
said.
From consigners, she accepts
clothing for men, women, teens,
children as well as small baby
items and toys, shoes, jewelry,
handbags, accessories, small
household items and collectibles.
"I really wanted a teen section,"
Sabo said. "Kids can come and
find something unique."
Consignment Boutique is one
of the few shops that offer men's
clothing items, she said. Guys
are often reluctant to browse in
a consignment shop, she added,
but those who do have discovered
the deals they can find there.
Items sell for a range of prices,
and there are bargain bins with
items that cost $5 or less.
Sabo offers a 50-50 split to
consigners, and for items that sell
for more than S75, she gives the
con signer 55 percent.
"We're consigner based," she
said.
Whereas some consignment
shops mark items down if they've
been in the shop for 30 days, she
only marks down as needed.
"I don't want to shortchange the consigners, " Sabo said. Some of her consigners have come from as far away as the Connecticut shoreline and Massachusetts.
Consignment Boutique, located in Old Avon Village, 31 East Main St. (Rte. 44), is open Monday through Wednesday from noon to 5 p.m.; Thursday and Friday from noon to 6 p.m., and Saturday from noon to 4 p.m.
It is closed on Sunday. For information, call (860) 674-8773, toll-free at (888) 405-SHOP(7467), or visit www.consignmentboutique.org.
Barbara Thomas can be reached by e-mail at bthomas@foothillsmediagroup.com. Follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/thtavonnews.com and on the web at www.theavonnews.com.
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