Queen of consignment
New shop owner opens upscale resale clothing store in Rutland
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Traci Pena stands inside her new consignment shop, "Reincarnation — Upscale Resale & Fabulous Finds" in Rutland recently. The store sells mostly women's tops, jeans, pants, dresses and even gowns. CASSANDRA HOTALING / RUTLAND HERALD |
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By Bruce Edwards STAFF WRITER - Published: April 27, 2009
She calls herself "the fab finds diva."
That's an appropriate description of Traci Pena who has turned a passion buying secondhand clothing for herself into a business.
Pena calls her consignment shop, Reincarnation — Upscale Resale & Fabulous Finds.
The store, located at the corner of River and Granger streets in what for years was Lenocis' Shoe Service, is hard to miss with its purple door and display windows nicely outfitted with previously owned clothes.
Inside, there are circular racks of mostly women's tops, jeans, pants, dresses and even gowns. There are shoes and a few gift items, like jewelry and glassware.
The 47-year-old Boston native has had several careers in public relations, as a paralegal and in sales. But as an avid secondhand shopper herself, the idea for a store had been percolating in Pena's mind for about 15 years.
A frequent visitor to the area, Pena moved to Rutland from New Mexico two years ago to start a new chapter in her life.
"If I was going to do this, now was the time," said Pena, a breast cancer survivor.
A friend suggested the store name, Reincarnation, because her friend said, "you've reinvented yourself so many times."
Pena has an eye for secondhand clothing and merchandise, accepting for consignment mostly name-brand labels and only the best quality. She prices consigned items accordingly.
"I pretty much know what can sell and what can't sell," she said.
Pants range in price from $10 to $12; tops, $8 to $12; dresses and skirts, $10 to $15; two-piece suits, $20 to $25; gowns, $25 to $60; and shoes $10 to $15.
There are other secondhand shops in the area but Pena said her consignment shop (www.reincarnationconsignment.biz) fills a demand for upscale clothing at a reasonable price.
She has an eye for color as well – purple is her favorite. The exterior and interior colors (including the floor) have a fare share of what Pena calls, Cleopatra Gown purple. The walls are a soothing green shade known as Silver Laurel.
Since opening in February, Pena has signed up 22 consignors, who bring in merchandise. She has a waiting list of other consignors.
When a consigned item sells, the consignor receives 40 percent and the store 50 percent. The remaining 10 percent goes to charity.
Pena donates 10 percent to a different charity each month as one way she and her customers give back to the community. Consignors and shoppers get to vote on one of two charities each month. For April, the nominees are ARC and the Boy's & Girl's Club. Last month, the Rutland County Humane Society was the winning charity, receiving a check for $471.
Next month, local breast cancer programs and organizations will be the beneficiaries.
In addition, a Gypsy Tea Party and Second-Hand Fashion Show to benefit local breast cancer programs will be held May 3, at the Pyramid Holistic Wellness Center on Merchants Row. Tickets are $30 in advance.
Reincarnation is open Tuesday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
bruce.edwards@rutlandherald.com