When my last child left for college, I was casting about for something to do that I would enjoy. I took a class at the YWCA on re-entering the marketplace, and soon realized that, if I could find work that I would gladly do for free, then figure out how to make it profitable, I would have the perfect job!
I was ready to enroll at O’More when a chance encounter changed my plans. Then-owner Claire Coble asked me to fill in for her at a new consignment shop called The Clearing House while she traveled abroad. I soon became fast friends with Claire’s co-owner, Donna McCullough. Claire was ready to retire after two seasonal sales – they were open only in the fall back then – and I was thrilled to be asked to work with Donna. I had renovated and decorated several homes and my husband’s law offices. I was hooked on interior decorating, and I had always loved fine things, so it was a perfect opportunity.
Consignment has always made sense to me. I was a fan of Nashville’s original consignment sale, the Stock Exchange, held by Sissy McAlister and her friends. When Sissy stopped doing her annual sale, she encouraged Claire and Donna to carry on that tradition.
Consignment is win-win. The consignor clears her cabinets of unused items and her rooms of too much furniture. She turns storage into cash. The shopper has an opportunity to buy furnishings of quality – often one-of-a-kind pieces – at great prices. Yet I’m the real winner because I get to interact with both consignors and shoppers and handle their beautiful things.
Ours is a shop where we know many of our customers by name. Browsers are welcome. No one is going to try to “sell” you something. Many tell us we’re their favorite shop. They love the relaxed atmosphere, the friendly staff, and the anticipation of new merchandise.
The variety of inventory in our shop ranges from exquisite antique pieces handed down through families, to brand-new wedding gifts the bride will never use. We enjoy offering the odd and unexpected, as well.
I love the business. Twenty-plus years later, I’m still at it. Sadly, Donna passed away several years ago. I think of her, and her husband Royal, quite often. I still miss them. I learned so much from both of them. They were vital to the success of the shop in the early years.
My staff has been with me for many years. I can’t imagine this shop without Emily Zimmerman, Julia Haselden, and Danny Pirtle. We are a team. It is our joint effort that produces our success and makes going to work fun.
We typically have between 650 – 750 consignors at any given time, and we maintain a mailing list of more than 13,000 customers. Be sure to sign in when you come.
We receive new consignments every day, all day long. Curious customers come in several times a week so they won’t miss anything. No matter how often you come in, there will always be a new arrival to see, and we will always be glad to see you!
