Need A Career Change? Open a Consignment Shop
“Renay Bashaw opened Your “Other” Closet, a consignment boutique in Viking Village (NJ), last Sept. 31. With a discerning eye for fashion, a commitment to making it easy for consigners to do business with her and finely tuned customer service skills, it’s hardly a surprise that she finds business has been “better than expected” in less than a year’s time.
Her spacious shop is brimming with rounders of dresses, suits and shirts, even wedding dresses. There are racks of accessories and display cases of jewelry. She also sells household goods and books.
It takes more than merchandise, though, to make the shop sing. Bashaw gives her customers personalized service. “It’s the total boutique experience,” she said. She’ll help shoppers try to find the right outfit or accessory. There’s a large dressing room and ample mirror. Bashaw is also concerned about women in need, and she works with Domestic Abuse Services Inc., DASI, in Newton providing coupons to needy families that offer free clothing. The card bears a statement on the back that reads: God loves you and there are a few complimentary outfits for you at Your ”Other” Closet. When women come in, they need only to show the card, for her to provide the same service she would to anyone else. “It helps keep their dignity.”
Bashaw started the shop because she was looking for a career change. She is a registered dental assistant with a surgical specialty, but her own health problems led her to seek less demanding work. “I wanted to see daylight instead of the operating room,” she said, and to meet people. The shop has given her just that. And its success has been her reward.”