Consignment Market Booms One Year Since Jolie Boutique Consignment Opened in Avon

It's been over a year since Brittany Vaughan opened Jolie Boutique Consignment in Avon Village Marketplace.

A year later, the Farmington Valley consignment market is still "going strong," Vaughan, a Simsbury resident, wrote in an email to Patch.

"I love the fact that there are so many consignment stores on Route 44 between Avon and Canton," Vaughan said. "If a customer can't find something at my store, I can send them down the street. Consignment shoppers love it when they can hit a bunch of stores in one area." 

The shop at 25 East Main Street turned 1 on June 1, offering sales and specials to celebrate and serving wine and CoCo Cakes desserts one of its consignors made for the Discover the Village wine walk event in June. 

"We will continue to have sales and special clearance racks all month to celebrate our first successful year in Avon Village," Vaughan said. 

Vaughan said that her business has "evolved" in a year, gaining "over 650 new consignors."  

"The store fixtures have been added to, moved around, and new ones are always being purchased to fit the ever-growing stock we have on hand," Vaughan said. "Jolie Boutique has greatly expanded its inventory. We are fully stocked with clothes, handbags, jewelry and shoes at all times. We turned our second area towards the back into an evening wear and designer clothing label section to make it easier for customers to find higher-end labels and gowns."

Vaughan distinguishes Jolie Boutique from a thrift shop. 

"The items we sell are clean, in like-new shape, and current styles," she said. "We also carry only mid range brands such as Ann Taylor all the way up to high-end brands like Burberry and Dolce & Gabanna. Handbags range from Nine West and Coach all the way to Prada and Louis Vuitton. The attention to detail and organization in the store makes for a lovely shopping experience."

What's trending this summer? 

"The big hits this summer at our shop are Lilly Pulitzer, Banana Republic, and JCREW for the younger crowd," Vaughan said. "The over 40 market loves Chico's, Coldwater Creek and Talbots. Coach, Brighton and Dooney & Bourke Handbags are always in demand."

Consignment shopping remains popular, particularly for those looking to stretch their dollar and get quality clothes, according to Vaughan. 

"They can buy clothes that are unique, and that they may never be able to afford at the retail stores," Vaughan said. "You can feel like a million bucks, and only spend a small amount to do it."