Something new offers something old downtown on Owatonna

OWATONNA — Rather than fall prey to the recession blues, Paula Benschoter decided to move with the times: In a few weeks she will open Uptown Consignment.

Owatonna has not had an adult consignment store for about a decade, said fellow consignor Ruth Williams. Williams runs a specialty consignment shop called Completely Kids and Maternity. The last adult consignment store closed shortly before Williams opened her store in 1998.

But consignment shops may be enjoying a new vogue, thanks to the global recession.

“People are starting to watch their money and spend it more wisely, looking to different alternatives and saving it for more important things,” Williams said. “Things have picked up (at Completely Kids). Everybody is looking for more reasonable prices.”

The National Association of Resale & Thrift Shops conducted a survey in August of resale shops across the U.S. The shops reported “significant increases in both sales and incoming inventory.” Of those surveyed, 64.1 percent said their sales figures grew in the second quarter 2009 when compared to the same quarter in 2008 — with an average increase of about 31 percent.

In addition, 77.9 percent of those shops reported an influx of new customers.

Consignment will be quite a change of pace for Benschoter, who is leaving a long-standing career as an adolescent chemical health counselor. For 20 years, Benschoter helped young people navigate through the ups and downs of chemical dependency, most recently at the Recovery School of Southern Minnesota, where she worked until her hours were cut in half.

Benschoter said she misses the kids and the school, but said she relishes the chance to do something new.

“This has been a dream of mine since I became an adult,” Benschoter said. “This is like a breath of fresh air.”

Benschoter began to make her wish a reality three weeks ago. Following a board meeting at the school she and her husband cruised through downtown Owatonna, looking at available store fronts.

They settled on a space at 146 West Broadway Street owned by Lowell Schultz, which had originally been Sear’s Department Store. The building most recently housed a branch of Denny Hecker’s GMAC Real Estate, which vacated the spot in June 2009.

Since finding a location, Benschoter has already accrued a sizeable collection of clothes, household items and furniture — which she says runs the gamut between shabby chic, ultramodern and traditional styles.

Benschoter has set her tentative opening date for Oct. 15. In the meantime, she is looking for “gently worn” juniors, misses and men’s clothing. She is also looking for accessories — like handbags and shoes.

“There’s an opportunity for people to take in their nice things and earn some cash,” Benschoter said.

Currently, Benschoter is working by appointment only.

Clare Kennedy can be reached at 444-2376.

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Member Opinions: By: pax2u on 10/10/09 Good Luck Paula....wishing you all the best!!
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