While people are on a budget, consignment shopping is a great alternative to malls and traditional clothing and accessory stores. You can wear designer brands for a portion of the cost and save some big bucks in the long run.
During the recession, Susan Stephens and Fernando Perez decided to start a clothing consignment store. After all, consignment stores are one of the most recession-proof clothing businesses. They started Labels Resale in 2009 in Buckhead and have since expanded to six total locations.
Customers come first at Labels Resale. From the great customer service to the store's organization, it makes it a great place to shop. With the influx of items, they had to expand to keep up with the supply.
"Every time we have grown, it hasn't been out of planning. It has been out of necessity," says Stephens.
To make it easier for the consumer, they break their stores down into cute cottages: The Main House, The Dress House, The Shoe House, The Men's Store, The Jewelry House, and The Vinings Outlet. Everything is very organized so you can go to the stores that house the items you are looking for.
They carry a variety of brands so there is something affordable for everyone with items from $18-$8,000. Brands range from Banana Republic to Burberry to Tory Burch to Louis Vuitton. From mall brands to luxury high-end brands, you will find it all at these multiple boutiques. Their shoes and purses are definitely the hot sellers here with tons of options to choose from and great prices.
They reach out to the best consignors in Atlanta and around the country to get superb items to sell in their stores. The key to a consignment store's success is having people willing to part with their gently used items. Labels Resale has a great client base that helps it to be one of the most popular consignment stores. They want to create lifelong customers and consignors.
"We have young girls who want to buy J Crew and we have ladies who want to buy Chanel," Stephens says. As the customers grow older, the business also grows in the brands it purchases.
There are a couple of things that make Labels Resale unique, but one in particular stands out. Most consignment stores cater to the women. Labels Resale has an entire men's store for the gentlemen to grab something gently used. After getting an influx of men's items, the pair decided to open the store. You can get the man in your life cool sneakers such as Balenciaga, Yves St. Laurent, Margiela and more, all at a percentage off retail. They also sell clothing, outerwear, sunglasses and jewelry for men. The uber popular MCM book bags that the younger guys like can be found there from time to time.
As with any consignment store, you have to go in frequently to find the best items. Items come in daily so items are constantly being added to the floor. Check out one or many of the Labels Resale Boutiques in Atlanta:
Main Store
3202 Paces Ferry Place
Atlanta
Dress Store
3208 Paces Ferry Place
Atlanta
Shoe Store
3193 Paces Ferry Place
Atlanta
The Men's Store
3209 Paces Ferry Place NW
Atlanta
Vinings
4199 Paces Ferry Road
Atlanta
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