SAVVY BUSINESS

By Carla Jean Whitley
Owner: Kathy McMahon

What is it? Renaissance Consignment Boutique is unlike an average consignment shop—a fact that’s evident as soon as you step through the doors. Décor in the two story, loft-like space relies heavily on reused, repurposed items from old buildings. Clothes in fitting rooms hang on beautiful old doorknobs, and tin ceiling tiles adorn the back of the store’s first level. Browse the racks of clothing and you’ll encounter not only high-end brands like Banana Republic and J. Crew, but also designer clothes and accessories from Dolce & Gabbana, YSL, Prada and many more.

History: Take one look at Renaissance and you won’t be surprised that both McMahon and manager Linda Noel’s backgrounds are interior design. McMahon first combined that knowledge with consignment shopping when she opened the consignment furniture store Past Perfect in Lee Branch. McMahon sold the business and took a year off before opening Renaissance in September 2008. The store gives people a chance to recoup some of their shopping expenses, while other folks have a chance to buy designer clothing at bargain prices. “I love starting things and creating things, and taking things from scratch and making things,” McMahon says.

What makes it unique? Renaissance’s inventory is more high-end than most consignment shops, but that’s far from the only distinction. If the store doesn’t accept all of the clothes a seller brings in, they are happy to donate them to a charity and provide the seller with the donation receipt for taxes. Renaissance chooses a different local charity each month, always ensuring that the clothes are given and not sold to the needy. The store will also host fundraisers for groups. Renaissance also offers several services: closet analysis, in which a consultant will help weed unflattering clothes out of your closet and coordinate different outfits from what you already own; girls night out events in the store; and mobile consigning, in which a seller can leave clothes on their front porch and Renaissance will pick them up and donate to charity anything they can’t sell.

A day in the life: “When the day starts, you never know what’s going to walk in here,” McMahon says. In addition to the business of running a retail store, the staff is constantly sorting through incoming inventory and carefully examining designer bags to ensure they are not counterfeit.

Staff size: 10

What’s ahead: The store is adding an online shop for its couture items. Franchising is a possibility in the future.

the details:
 Renaissance Consignment Boutique
6801 Cahaba Valley Rd.
980-4471
renaissanceconsignment.com
Hours: Hours: Mon.-Sat., 9 a.m.-6 p.m.; open Thursdays ‘til 7 p.m.
Clothing accepted at any time, and all seasons are always welcome.

January Birmingham, Alabama

  

 
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