New Consignment Shop in Winthrop Set to Open Next Month

Women who love designer clothing but hate paying designer prices should be sure to check out the newest shop at Winthrop Town Centre on Bloomingdale Avenue.

For the past month, Apollo Beach residents Kristie Horton and Sarah Conlon have been accepting consignments of name-brand and designer women's clothing and accessories to fill their new shop at 6128 Winthrop Town Centre Dr., Riverview.

Set to open the second week of February, KriSara Designer Consigner will feature a variety of upscale clothing, from cocktail dresses to jeans, along with shoes, purses, belts and jewelry.

The two women are neighbors and cemented their friendship while carpooling their children to Nativity Catholic School in Brandon.

Among their shared interests was fashion.

"I started the ball rolling on opening this store," said Conlon. "I knew I wanted to do something with fashion. And consignment shops are really a national trend. Sales at consignment shops have doubled in recent years."

She believes that's partly due to the economic downturn. Women still want to wear quality, fashionable clothes but can no longer afford the price tags on popular designer lines.

At the same time, women are seeking to put a few extra bucks in their wallets by consigning their barely used clothing and accessories instead of simply donating them.

The duo had been looking for a storefront in the Brandon-Riverview area and said they were excited when space became available in Winthrop Town Centre.

"It's the perfect location," said Horton. "There's so much activity going on here."

In fact, while decorating and stocking the store, the women became accustomed to potential customers popping in to ask when they'd open.

They've also been pleased with the quality of the consignments the store is attracting.

They specialize in designer and name-brand clothing for women age 30 to 70, including such brands as Ann Taylor, White House/Black Market, Louis Vuitton, Cole Hahn, Fendi, Gucci, Marc Jacobs, Juicy Couture, Kenneth Cole, Kate Spade and Ralph Lauren.

All consignments must be new or gently used, clean, pressed and on hangers.

They also accept belts, purses and shoes by Brighton, Coach, Vuitton and other popular designers.

Consignments are now being accepted Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

For more information on the new shop, visit the KriSara Facebook page, call 813-324-8911 or email them at saraheconlon@hotmail.com or kristiehorton@msn.com.