Consignment shopping is one of the hottest trends sweeping the nation… from fashionable Hollywood superstars who seem to adore their vintage clothing to the financially constrained college kids who love saving a few bucks and everyone in between
In fact, more and more visitors to the Charleston area are getting a handle on local consignment establishments before they arrive so they can hit the ground running for a day or two of bargain shopping while in town.
According to Rachel McKenna, owner of the Trunk Show located at 281 Meeting St. in downtown Charleston, tourists are actually responsible for a new trend in consignment shopping, one that is putting her establishment on the map nationally.
"I got into the consignment business about seven years ago," states McKenna, an interior designer who specializes in upscale consignments. "Right now, consignment shopping is very trendy. People just love to buy other people's items at a reduced price."
McKenna views her store as an affordable alternative to acquiring elegant designer clothing, accessories and refined vintage clothing for women with discriminating taste. Her store, which has long handled fine furniture and other home furnishings, has expanded to include estate jewelry, art and antique linens. "We have 150-year-old Havilland china here," she says. "We handle great vintage china, tiffany crystal, that sort of upscale home furnishings.
"Shoppers find great quality items here at about 65 percent off the retail price," she continues. "Even the [finer] clothes and the jewelry and the bags… some people just can't afford to buy them retail, or don't want to. I personally would never buy retail because I know I don't have to."
The Trunk Show has evolved into a store that carries fine items from across the nation. "Tourists who shop with me and see the quality of the items we sell here are going home, cleaning out their closets and sending them here for me to sell," McKenna says. "Now we have the best of Charleston, but also of New York City, Washington, D.C. and other places across the country. I'm even consigning items for a client in Scotland."
Another key to her growing success is the fact that all sales are discrete… that buyers never know who the sellers are. "Everything has a number and is tracked via computers," she explains. "But I will tell buyers where the items come from to help them avoid showing up at a big event wearing their neighbor's dress.
"We were once a big tourist shop, but we've also become a very local shop because of the consigners coming from other parts of the U.S.," adds McKenna. "And the best part is we're recycling. We're recycling good things, unusual things, things that don't need to be taking up space in a closet somewhere."
McKenna believes there is a solid market for high-end consignments in Charleston. "I'd love to see several blocks along Meeting Street fill up with consignment shops," McKenna concludes. "I believe consignment stores fill a great niche market."
Daniel Ravenel Sotheby's International Realty has the connections and insights of nine generations of Charlestonians. Daniel Ravenel SIR is an independent and locally owned company that only staffs counselors who are native to, or well-established in Charleston. We are familiar with every detail of the Charleston real estate market. We know the Battery to the Beaches and everything in between, and this makes us better able to anticipate and more importantly act on opportunities. Nearly $1 billion in real estate transactions since 1983.
Fine art gallery, framemakers and restoration studio. Coleman Fine Art has been representing regional and national artists for over 30 years. The gallery specializes in Contemporary American paintings of both the American Impressionist and Realist schools. Currently representing John Cosby, Marc R. Hanson, George Strickland, Kevin MacPherson, Mary Whyte, Gregory Packard, W. Jason Situ and Galust Berberian. Located in historic downtown Charleston and within walking distance of all major hotels. Located on Church Street.
In a 19th century brick warehouse located just north of historic Broad Street, you'll taste what the Maverick brand of southern cooking is all about. Award-winning executive chef Frank Lee starts with the Carolina Lowcountry's rich resources, then adds his own blend of flavors from Charleston's multicultural heritage. The open kitchen brings this whole process within view. Specializing in seafood and fine wines. Inducted into the Fine Dining Hall of Fame, 2008.
In fact, more and more visitors to the Charleston area are getting a handle on local consignment establishments before they arrive so they can hit the ground running for a day or two of bargain shopping while in town.
The Trunk Show has evolved into a store that carries fine items from across the nation. "Tourists who shop with me and see the quality of the items we sell here are going home, cleaning out their closets and sending them here for me to sell," McKenna says. "Now we have the best of Charleston, but also of New York City, Washington, D.C. and other places across the country. I'm even consigning items for a client in Scotland."
Daniel Ravenel Sotheby's International Realty has the connections and insights of nine generations of Charlestonians. Daniel Ravenel SIR is an independent and locally owned company that only staffs counselors who are native to, or well-established in Charleston. We are familiar with every detail of the Charleston real estate market. We know the Battery to the Beaches and everything in between, and this makes us better able to anticipate and more importantly act on opportunities. Nearly $1 billion in real estate transactions since 1983.
Fine art gallery, framemakers and restoration studio. Coleman Fine Art has been representing regional and national artists for over 30 years. The gallery specializes in Contemporary American paintings of both the American Impressionist and Realist schools. Currently representing John Cosby, Marc R. Hanson, George Strickland, Kevin MacPherson, Mary Whyte, Gregory Packard, W. Jason Situ and Galust Berberian. Located in historic downtown Charleston and within walking distance of all major hotels. Located on Church Street.
In a 19th century brick warehouse located just north of historic Broad Street, you'll taste what the Maverick brand of southern cooking is all about. Award-winning executive chef Frank Lee starts with the Carolina Lowcountry's rich resources, then adds his own blend of flavors from Charleston's multicultural heritage. The open kitchen brings this whole process within view. Specializing in seafood and fine wines. Inducted into the Fine Dining Hall of Fame, 2008.
