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Name: The Consignment Closet

Type of business: A boutique style resale women's clothing shop with brand name and designer items.

Address: 31A East Railroad Ave., Jamesburg

Telephone Number: (732) 521-3000

Web site: www.theconsignmentcloset.com

Number of employees: 1

Founded: April 2009

Top officer: Denise Meyers, owner

Hours: Spring hours from April 12 Monday and Tuesday 11 a.m.-5 p.m., closed Wednesday; Thursday and Friday 12-6 p.m.; Saturday 10 a.m.-3 p.m. and by appointment.

How would you describe your business?

"We are a boutique style hot spot with a great selection of brand names and designer items priced at a fraction of the original cost.

"I have 400 consigners. They bring clothing they are no longer using. Some of the items still have their store tags. I call them 'oopsies' because women will buy them, put them in the closet, and forget about them -- then it's too late to return them to the store. The store offers women's and junior sizes and accessories including shoes, handbags, and jewelry.

"The consigners bring in their clothing. I sell for them. They'll put their clothing in here and when the items sell they get paid I hold the items for 60 days. In the end, they get a check from me. It's a 50/50 split between them and the store. I don't have a registration fee or charge for checks."

What makes your business special?

"We serve a need and provide a service for those women who become our consigners. Because before we opened they didn't have a place to go to bring their clothes that are still in good condition and receive a check for them. In this down economy, there are so many people feeling the pinch of this economy. By consigning clothing no longer needed because the women have lost their jobs and no longer need their suits, they can use the check they get to continue to buy items they can use."

What goals do you have for the business?

"I'm very comfortable with where I am now, although I'd like to have more consigners. But I don't have to get much bigger. My goal is to continue with what I am doing. My clients love it. I don't hold grand visions of it getting bigger. But you never know what the future will be."

How has your business changed?

"I've only been doing this for almost a year. We opened in April 2009. Since opening I've grown to 400 donor/consigners and have a beautiful inventory. We also have been growing with more consigners who tell their friends about us and they come to see what we offer. It was a learning experience for me -- I had never owned a store before. And the store has blossomed."

What was your most important deal?

"Opening the store. It was a career change for me. I had been a realtor and I got sick. I started this to have my own hours. This was something I could do, enjoy and not be as stressed out in my other position. But it was a lot of work to get the store ready. There was a lot of work, trial and error, and doing 60-hour weeks, but now it's running beautifully."

What changes do you expect in your business in the next 10 years?

"Even if the economy rebounds, the need for having a consignment store won't go away. It's a way to recycle what you no longer want or need. A lot of women will buy items seasonally and wear one season and the items are slightly used. I think we are here to stay."

What's the most important thing you've learned in this business?

"Patience. In the beginning it was a lot of work and you had to be patient and had to let the business grow. It takes time. It can be frustrating, but eventually rewarding."

What advice would you give to someone considering your line of work?

"Just be prepared. It's a lot harder than it looks. People will say 'How hard can it be, you're selling used items?' but you have devote a lot more time than you expect. I decided to just sell women's clothing -- it seemed to be a good choice for me. I knew the labels, I knew the quality. It's long hours and you have to enjoy working with the public."

Is there anything else you would rather be doing?

"No. I'm enjoying what I'm doing now."