Roswell’s Board of Trade: Comfortable clutter for those seeking a deal

The Board of Trade, a home-decor and consignment shop in Roswell, dates back to 1990. Its present owner, Beth Richardson, took it over in 2004, after working there for a year. In 2006, she moved the business to its present location at 1078 Alpharetta St., and she recently unveiled an expansion that broke through a back wall and created twice as much room to showcase furniture, accessories and gifts.

“This has always been a cult place where people come in to shop — and for therapy,” Richardson said with a laugh. “They lean on the counter and chat, and rave about the store. That’s why I do it; I’m addicted to the praise.”

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H.M. Cauley/Special

The book nook at the Board of Trade in Roswell lets visitors inspect the collection of home, gardening, cooking and travel works in comfort.

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H.M. Cauley/Special

Sofas, paintings, mirrors – even Kermit the Frog – are part of the store’s merchandise.

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H.M. Cauley/Special

Leather chairs and sofas make up some of the collection. About 95 percent is on consignment.

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About 95 percent of the merchandise is there on consignment. “I represent people who are downsizing or cleaning out their parents’ homes,” said Richardson. “I’m always looking for things you didn’t see at Pier One or Pottery Barn 20 years ago. I usually keep things for a good five months. If it looks great and the right person hasn’t walked in yet to buy, I may keep it longer.”

Richardson has a sidewalk clearance sale twice a year. Otherwise, the pricing follows the traditional consignment structure: 10 percent each month the item stays in stock.

The consigned goods include sofas, day beds, dining suites, breakfronts, buffets, outdoor furniture and décor items. The accent pieces may be as simple as a china teacup or as dramatic as a pair of decorative horses. Richardson has added a lighting section for the lamps and a book nook, where shoppers are invited to settle into a leather chair and thumb through the collection of gardening, home, travel and cook books. There’s also a selection of Italian pottery, from ceramic bowls to holders for wine bottles. Richardson recently began carrying a line of new high-end English leather sofas and chairs, priced from $500 to $2,900.

Good sterling pieces are always in demand. “Anything that works as a gift — an asparagus server, say — is especially popular,” she said. Other hot items are oil paintings, particularly vintage ones, and anything with a designer name on it.

Trends

Wood colors come and go and right now, blond is definitely out, said Richardson. “The dark woods such as mahogany and cherry are back,” she said. “And French-styled pieces and leather are always in. And even though it’s not as popular right now, I carry a lot of country because I like it.”

1078 Alpharetta St., Roswell

Hours: 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Monday-Saturday; noon-5 p.m. Sunday

Info: 770-640-7615, The Board of Trade

In the area: The store is across from and close to other shopping centers with antique and home stores and a few blocks from the Roswell historic district of shops and restaurants.

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