Debbie McDaniel worked as a buyer and manager in “regular retail” for many years before opening Revente on May 1, 1992. She wanted to own her own business but did not want to “own” any inventory. She researched consignment, but found very little information. Several trips to shops in neighboring towns showed her more of what she didn’t want to do rather than what she had in mind.
When she discovered that space was opening on Saluda Avenue in Five Points, she immediately signed a lease then contacted former customers and offered to pick up items they no longer wanted for resale in the store.
In the early years, Revente sold men’s, women’s and children’s clothing. The store added furniture when Aiken’s Antiques closed, but eventually decided to concentrate on just women’s clothing and accessories. Revente now carries women’s clothing sizes 0 to 22 as well as new accessories and jewelry from the New York markets and local artists.
Many younger customers started coming in as toddlers with their mothers and have found they can shop for quality merchandise for much less than shoppping retail. Hundreds of consignors and customers come to Revente first when they need something special. Merchandise sold at Revente has been worn to many events, including presidential inaugrations as well as local events and special occasions.
Some of the most coveted items are premier label handbags: Louis Vuitton, Prada, Chanel, etc. The store keeps a wish list and calls customers when something specific arrives, so many items don’t stay on the selling floor for long. Layaway makes shopping on a budget easier.
The highlight of Revente’s past year was being invited to New York to be part of an epiosde of “Resale Royalty” on Style Network. The stars are the owners of Women’s Closet Exchange in St. Louis and are old friends through the National Organization of Resale and Thrift Shops.
In addition to Revente, Debbie now owns two other shops, Sid and Nancy which opened in 2007 and Revente’s Second Chances (formerly known as Revente’s Last Call) which turns three in September. Each shop is different, but all share the same mission – selling quality merchandise for a fraction of its original cost.
Shopping resale has become something more and more people are doing, not just because of the money they save but also from a heightened awareness of upcycling. Find out more about Revente on their website www.shoprevente.com or their Facebook page www.facebook.com/revente.
