When it comes to resale shopping Jennifer Moore considers herself an expert. Following the do-what-you-love theory she planned for a long time to open her own store. She also wanted it to be in her hometown, Coloma.
She made up her mind four years ago to get into the resale business after organizing a number of clothing swaps between local women that continued to grow each time she offered one. Realizing how much she enjoyed the enterprise and that she really needed a storefront to make it work she began researching what it would take to make it happen.
Recently, she turned to
Women’s Business Center at Cornerstone Alliance for advice on her business planning process and to help organize the operations of her business. She got step-by-step directions on what needed to be accomplished at certain points along the way toward opening her store. Three meetings and a number of telephone calls over a period of months gave her the confidence to proceed.
She realized her goal at the end of April when she opened Back on the Rack. Moore will have an official grand opening to celebrate at 10 a.m. June 16. There will be raffles and refreshments for those who visit the store at 222 N. Paw Paw St.
Moore sells clothing and accessories for the whole family at the resale and consignment shop that is about 1,000 square feet. Clothing makes up about 90 percent of her merchandise but she also carries furniture, handmade jewelry, baby items and more. So far, she is the sole employee. The store’s hours are 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday.
It already is drawing customers from across a wide area, Moore says, saying customers have visited from St. Joseph and Covert among other places that might be considered a bit of a drive.
"Customer service means everything," Moore says. "I want my customers to know I am happy to see them and grateful they chose to come into my store."
Writer: Kathy Jennings, Second Wave Media
Source: Jennifer Moore, Back on the Rack
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