What started as pop-up establishment has become a permanent fixture on Marine Avenue.
Blue Sky Consignment owner Jenni Dyer originally planned to open a temporary, two-week store carrying ladies clothing, accessories, shoes and home décor items.
“It was going to be a pop-up shop open seasonally, then once we had the space and set it up we had phenomenal results,” explains Dyer. “It really showed there was a need in the community so we kept the store open for a month, then three more months, before committing to one year.”
All stock is selected for quality, brand and current fashion styles, although a small selection of vintage pieces is available as well, says Dyer, who is embarking on the new venture while continuing her position as leisure and lifestyles coordinator at the Kiwanis assisted-living facility.
Consignment stores bridge the gap between thrift stores and boutiques selling new items. Pieces at Blue Sky are either new, or nearly new; some even have original sales tags attached.
“People may have purchased something they only wore once or changed their mind and couldn’t return it,” says Dyer. “All of our pieces still have a lot of life in them and are only very gently used, if not new. Probably 30 per cent of our stock items still have tags.”
Dyer consigned her own clothing for several years before opening the business and says consignment shopping is a hot trend around the world, providing consumers with opportunities to find unique pieces while sticking to a budget.
“Consignment is especially great for a community like Powell River as it brings items and brand names into the marketplace that are not available in other local stores,” says Dyer.
Shoppers benefit from reduced prices, with most items available for between 60 and 75 per cent off the retail cost, and a diverse collection to browse through. In addition to variety and savings, the uniqueness of a consignment store provides other shopping opportunities: hidden treasures and fashion items missed out on the year before.
“People love to shop and look for treasures; they can come here and possibly find something they would never find elsewhere because it has been in somebody’s closet, or wasn’t offered in Powell River before,” says Dyer. “We have items from local boutiques as well, so it might be a piece from last fashion season shoppers wish they had purchased; they can come in and find it here.”
Open from 12-5 pm on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, and 10 am-5 pm on Saturdays, the neatly organized store displays items in a way that provides customers with a boutique shopping experience. Merchandise turns around quickly, with new items becoming available on a weekly basis, which constantly changes the look of the store.
“Shoppers should check back regularly because new stock is always coming in and going out,” says Dyer. “That is an advantage we have over boutiques; their stock comes in three or four times a year, whereas ours comes in every week.”
Customers seeking a specific item are welcome to request to be contacted if it ever becomes available.
“Anyone looking for something in particular can let us know and we’ll give them a call if we come across it,” says Dyer.
Blue Sky supports Powell River Health Care Auxiliary and Grace House with donations of clothing that consignors do not want returned if the item does not sell.
“We’re also starting a Consignment for Charity program where consignors can choose to have commissions collected and donated to a local charity of their choice once it reaches $50 or more,” explains Dyer.
After opening at 4493 Marine Avenue in February, Blue Sky Consignment received a boost by winning a free booth for Powell River Home and Garden Show in April.
“We did a full display of home décor, shoes and handbags,” says Dyer. “Some people may have seen it and still think we’re a pop-up shop, but we are a permanent store now.”
For more information:
604.223.1459
blueskyconsignment@gmail.com
facebook.com/consignpowellriver
instagram.com/blueskyconsignment
