I love, adore, highly endorse the whole idea of
Girls’ Night Out
for consignment, resale, and even the most modest of non-profit thrift shops. Having an after-hours event is a great way to support community and to draw attention to your shop. It even can attract brand-new clients to your shop.
But, as a woman of a certain age, the word “girls”, no matter how well-intended, tends to grate on me. And, to be perfectly honest “Girls’ Night Out” shrieks of reality TV, no-brand beer, and, well,
being less classy than I would choose for your business.
It was at Conference that I first heard a shopkeeper use “salon” instead of “girls’ night out” for the same sort of idea. I regret that I didn’t make a note of the mastermind who came up with this nomenclature. My bad, as “girls” would say.
Here’s what a salon is. But in 10 words or less? It’s a social gathering of like-minded people to enjoy each others’ company and to learn something while enjoying light refreshments and new friends. Okay, that’s more than 10 words, but that’s okay… in a salon.
Will recasting your after-hours events as salons increase business? Well, it may not make much difference in what you sell during the evening. But it certainly will increase the Perceived Value of your shop image.
Besides, then you can invite guys too.
Hosting salons is differentiating yourself from the masses of consignment and resale shops in your market. Standing out from the Sea of Sameness. And that’s always something worth doing, don’t you agree?
Auntie Kate The Resale Expert 
We are children’s and maternity and are planing to hold “Mommy’s Monday Nights!” Events for the 5 Mondays prior to Christmas. It does kind of exclude dads I suppose, but they are supposed be keeping the kids at home so mommy can come shop! Any ideas to spruce up that title or make the events special?
just planning a “girls only” event… how about Gal’s Night Out?
Hi Lynn, well, to be honest, I like “gals’ night out” even less than “girls’ night out.” But that’s just me, and it’s your store! With your business name, though (Mixed Vintage) I’d go with something much more memorable, cute, and word-of-mouth-worthy, like “Mix It Up” or “The Mixer” or “Mix & Mingle”… this would also reinforce your name, which is always a plus.
Heck, play around with it. “The Mix Minxes?” MIX: Mighty Incredible Xperience?
I do a mens shopping night 2 weeks before Christmas, where the women pick out gifts they would like for Christmas, the men all then come in on the Friday night and go through the bag and pick what they would like to purchase for the women. We then wrap all the gifts as the men enjoy pizza, wings and BYOB.