We went for a walk through the neighborhood on Sunday, and were sad to discover that one of our favorite stores to browse through was permanently shutting its doors. Washington Consignment was the second local consignment store to close in recent days; Take It or Leave It in Laurel also closed its doors last weekend...
Though we rely on Craigslist for most of our secondhand furniture purchases, we always rely on consignment stores for accessories and sometimes for inspiration. As the economy worsens, it seems we'll have fewer opportunities to enjoy the unique atmosphere of a local secondhand store. We often wonder if the growing popularity of sites like Ebay and Craigslist has permanently eroded the traditional base of buyers and sellers once targetted by consignment stores?
Have you begun to notice store closings or size reductions in your neighborhood?
© 2009 Apartment Therapy
We are losing one business a week in Santa Barbara.
view ENTENZA's profile
Gosh, I hope we don't import this trend to Canada. Here in Toronto a wonderful new consignment recently opened, I'd hate to lose it just as it gets going: http://stylenorth.ca/blog/2008/07/shops-elliott-ward/
view ChrisToronto's profile
Property values aren't terribly high in Houston, so, shockingly, we're still growing. Although, we also have a new Snappy Auctions (a we-sell-your-stuff-on-ebay kind of place) in our area.
view whytephoenix's profile
Take it or Leave it was still open as of Sunday (9/28)- I think they will still be open this whole week, if I'm not mistaken.
view amycywang's profile
I'd like to provide some local insight on Washington Consignment-
The reason offered by Washington Consignment's owner in a message to the neighborhood yahoo group was " This economic downturn which has particularly affected the real estate market coupled with an overall lack of discretionary income has had a direct and devastating impact on both our sales and profitability."
The reasons not acknowledged by Washington Consignment's owner may be more significant in the closing:
- A number of local residents who consigned with Washington Consignment recently shared with the group that the owner had been extremely evasive in paying them after items were sold, sometimes up to a year after the fact, often times only doing so with the threat of legal action
-The items for sale in both the Cleveland Park and Rockville locations were often times overpriced for the quality and condition of obvious reproductions
-I have walked into the Cleveland Park location several times over the past six months with the intent to purchase or sell items and no employees were in the store- no response to loud "hello"s, no signs on the open door saying someone would be back shortly, NO ONE. When there was someone actually working in the store, outside of the one kind and understanding exchange with the owner's father, the customer service was poor at best.
Although I have no doubt current economic conditions are hurting small businesses, bad business practices hurt more.
view ClevelandParker's profile
Personally, I used to consign but have turned to Craigslist or eBay to offload furniture, clothes, jewelry, etc. I'd rather pay 5% commission at eBay or nothing on Craigslist than 20, 30, or 40% in a consignment shop.
view valleyval's profile
In Venezuela we have been going through a recession "for like, ever", no such thing as thrift stores unless they are book related, people wear their clothes and other items until they vanish or donate them to less fortunate friends or relatives. So it goes.
view La loca's profile
That makes me sad! I always looked forward to their creative window displays on my walks home from the gym up in VanNess. And I loved to look through their stuff on weekends. But, on the other hand, I could really never afford what they sold and it wasn't quite my style. Still, it seemed like, for Cleveland Park, they had some attractive offerings that other people would like.
Was their stuff overpriced? I know it was out of my budget range but my budget range is pretty nonexistent, so I couldn't really tell . . .
view moderndomestic's profile
I'm not surprised Washington Consignment closed. Several of my clients tried to sell items through the store. I had met the owner John Coon and thought he was a nice guy and that I'd refer some business to him. Each client reported nothing but trouble, mixed messages from employees, phone calls were left unanswered, and I don't think one of them ever was paid. I hope I'm wrong and that she was paid once I completed work with her.
Like @ValleyVal - I simply recommend Craigslist now to my clients or I'll sell the pieces for them myself.
view DeClutterYou's profile
I actually think this is more of a function of high real estate prices than the slowing economy. I'd actually think consignment places would do well in a flailing economy--people looking to get an extra buck out of things they don't need and others who need stuff looking to save.
I'm bummed though, I wanted to check both of those place out.
view Christine (the one in DC)'s profile
I'm sorry to hear that - I love consignment stores in the area, although I usually go to Ballston/Arlington for my second-hand finds. :)
Tabitha @ http://www.fromsingletomarried.com
view Tabitha (From Single to Married)'s profile
Contrary to Washington Consignment's supposed reason for closing, business is booming at local consignment shops -- or so I've been told when I visit them. More people are consigning and I guess people feel they are being frugal, re-cycling, etc. by shopping there instead of retail. Try Gallery St. Elmo and Capital Consignment in Bethesda. They're just a block apart -- friendly people work at both places and in general the prices seem really good. There are also two clothing consignment places within a block or two of these shops. We go and make a day of it. Try Cafe Express for lunch -- a dive with great food!
Washington Consignment had an awful reputation for cheating it's consignors. I'm surprised they stayed in business as long as they did.
view Papaj's profile
They did not go out of business because of the rent. They moved across town and re-opened as NEST, where the rent is cheaper and they have more space. The address is:
4835 Wisconsin Ave. NW. Across from the Volvo Dealer. They had a "going out of business sale" at their old location but failed to tell their consigners. They sold things for prices not approved or agreed to. In some cases they gave things away as payment to other consigners. There is a long list of people they have "stolen" from and who they owe money to and it's growing every day. If they simply "moved" locations, why would they: (1) take down their web site (2) disconnect their phone (3) not send out checks for what was sold at the "going out of business sale" which was in September, etc. I know one of the consigners there and she got bilched big time.
http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/citydesk/2008/10/30/washington-consignment-closes-still-owes-people-money/
If you want the real scoop on this business go to the above link article about the store. And read the comments posted below it.
So the sad story, for which you all are showing so much empathy, isn't true.
view ItsNotWhatYouThink's profile
If you have been ripped off by Washington Consignment Store or NEST Home Furnishings please consider contacting us. We are working together to get people’s money for them.
washconsign.investigators@gmail.com
You can also read more at this BLOG about the people they took for their money owed from consignments.
http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/citydesk/2008/10/30/washington-consignment-closes-still-owes-people-money/
If you know anyone who has been a victim of either of these stores please ask them to contact us. Thank you.
view ItsNotWhatYouThink's profile