And ask nosy questions.

It was an afternoon filled with consignment and resale, and strange I-dunno-what’s-up shops. Some were well-established, some were brand-spanking new. I took Sis ’cause she’s good at asking nosy questions and I wanted to test the old adage

It’s all in who you know.

(And Sis wants me to add that I took her because she’s fun to shop with, too.) After all, we all need business buddies. Short of asking them to let me see who’s their Facebook friends and Twitter followers, I had to rely on Sis.

Shop #1, which has been here for donkey’s years, well-organized but limited selection. I tried real hard to buy something and couldn’t. Actually, I can’t remember the last time I did find anything to buy there. Question to owner: What’s up in the consignment world? What’s with the odd shop a block over? Her answer: I don’t know, I never get out of my shop.* Why we went: My sister consigns there. Why we’ll go back: Because of my no-luck visits several times in a row, I literally don’t think of this shop even though they are perfectly nice.

Shop #2, brand-new. Friendly owner, actually had a brochure about the shop out for the taking. Kudos for that! Odd mix of mart brands and better, but neatly displayed, if somewhat lacking in flair and fashion.  Question to owner: Fun start-up you have here, have you contacted [name of local fashion media writer/ local small-business reporter]? Her answer: I’ve just been SO busy.* Why we went: Media advertising and my inherent nosiness. Why we’ll go back: I can’t imagine I will ’cause it was as boring as the mall.

Shop #3, the grumpy one. They’ve added small furniture and home decor to their established clothing mix, which I guess works… but the owner still refuses to acknowledge that there are any other consignment or resale shops in town (I ask every time I visit just to see how he’ll weasel out of a straight answer this time.)* Why we went: It was on the way home. Why we’ll go back: Probably won’t; the least-memorable of all those we visited.

And the shop that made us feel most welcome

(and you won’t be surprised to hear, where we spent the most money)? Not a consignment or resale shop, but a small, one-owner clothing shop tucked into a back alley. Question to owner: What’s up? Her answer: Praise for the club which had her do a fashion show, the stylists in town who are so kind to feature her goods once in a while, pleasantries about a reporter in the business area of several local papers.* Why we went: extensive newspaper and local magazine advertising. Why we’ll go back: We loved their merchandise, their presentation, and their personalities. And that they were out there, making contacts and friends and fans.

* For more on best business buddies click here.

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