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^[2]This week, we steered our bikes to two local consignment shops, Brand Name Consignment in downtown Cornelius and New To You, in Davidson’s South Main Square. We discovered that both shops sell brand-name clothes in new or practically new condition, and have a very different feel from a thrift store like Goodwill or Salvation Army. However, the prices are definitely lower than at the original store, so if you are looking to enjoy some summer shopping while also spending less, be sure to check out these two locations.

BRAND NAME CONSIGNMENT

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Welcome to Brand Name Consignment!

Lorraine Smith has owned Brand Name Consignment in downtown Cornelius for the last 12 of the 20 years it’s been open.

As soon as we walked inside, we noticed the wall full of designer handbags, from brands such as Coach, that were far cheaper than you would ever see in a department store. Ms. Smith said she prices the handbags based on what they go for on Ebay, what the consigners paid, and how worn they are.

In the back room, one wall was full of evening gowns and party dresses. Another wall was filled with jeans, from different designers and in all different sizes. There were racks of tops and a shelf full of shoes, complete with a giant shoe chair. Something was there to fit any style.

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A row of shoes at Brand Name Consignment.

Just outside the dressing rooms is a small area for children to play while they wait for their parents. We thought that was a nice touch, and might encourage busy parents to come, even if they wanted to bring their children.

Ms. Smith gets her clothes from consigners who give her gently used clothes, or from overstocked stores, or fashion reps at the end of a season. Once the item is sold, whoever gave it to her gets half the sale value. She noted that she gets better brands, so she won’t be competing with discount stores like Goodwill.

All in all, the shop had a very wide selection of clothes that would fit anyone, and especially had lots of options for the teenage audience.

Brand Name Consignment is open 10 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. Monday-Saturday.

NEW TO YOU

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New to You, located in Davidson.

Owner Ida Amaral opened New To You, located on South Main Street near the Village Tack Shop and Campania, just one year ago ^[6]. She says she decided to open the store because, “I love clothes, and I’ve been in consignment shops for a long time. Good thrift shops are important in today’s economy.”

The front display area features mannequins wearing summer dresses paired with matching necklaces, and pulls you into the store. Once inside, the clothes are conveniently sorted by size, and Ms. Amaral is around and more than willing to direct you toward anything you are looking for. The store offers many dress pants, along with more dressy shorts and capris, summer dresses, and a whole rack of jeans. The shoe selection is also quite impressive, and if you are looking for dress shoes, this is a good place to go.

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Jeans at New to You.

On the whole, the shop seems mostly intended to supply women’s apparel, but also includes clothing that would fit teenage girls, and comes from many popular brands. With a wide selection for a small shop, anyone is sure to find a new summer dress or pair of pants to fit them. Combined with the welcoming atmosphere and lower prices, New to You should be your first stop next time you are heading out to shop.

Owner Ms. Amaral says her motto on consignment shops is, “It’s good for the environment, a good way for consigners to make money, and it saves money for the consignees. It’s good for the earth and good for your wallet.”

New to You is open Monday-Friday 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Paulina Campbell is a rising senior at Woodlawn School. Emma Boraks is a rising freshman at North Mecklenburg High School. They’re spending part of their summers scoping out alternatives to TV-watching and Web-surfing. Have ideas or want to reach them? Leave a comment below, or email editor@davidsonnews.net ^[8].