With consumers wary of spending big bucks these days, a husband-and-wife team in Federal Hill have opened a discount clothing store for thrifty fashionistas.
Ben Abdallah and Anna Dickerson opened the Hill Fashion Consignment at 1201 Light Street last month. The couple thought their store could offer a cheaper alternative to some of the pricey boutiques in the area, Abdallah says.
"People are responding to it really well," Abdallah says of the 600-square-foot store. "They like the idea of the consignment store because clothing stores in the area are kind of expensive. "
The couple settled on a consignment store because the thought of being eco-friendly -- since they mostly sell used clothing -- was appealing. "We figured with the economy and global warming and everything else, this is the best idea for the store," Abdallah says.
There's also no other consignment store in the neighborhood.
The store carries primarily modern women's clothing and accessories, including handbags, sweaters, and shoes. Shoppers might pay $50, for instance, for a brand-name purse that would retail for $150 new.
Abdallah and his wife chose Federal Hill because it's full of young people who like to shop. They also like the neighborhood's vibrant, urban feel. "It's city life. It's historic, fresh, and a lot of fun," Abdallah says of Federal Hill.
The couple compare Federal Hill to European cities like Paris, where they spent time traveling last summer. "Life there is very similar in some neighborhoods," Abdallah says. "We're within walking distance to everything, all kinds of restaurants and bars around here."
The store get s alot of pedestrian foot traffic, from neighborhood dog walkers and people going home from work or attending neighborhood festivals.
Although Abdallah decline to say how much the couple had invested to open the consignment shop, he has high hopes for the future. "It's our first venture but hopefully it won't be the last," Abdallah says.
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Source: Ben Abdallah, the Hill Fashion Consignment
Writer: Julekha Dash