ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Sunday, April 20, 1997 TAG: 9704220027
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-3 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
DATELINE: CHRISTIANSBURG
SOURCE: ANGIE WATTS\THE ROANOKE TIMES
"IF YOUR CLOTHES are no longer becoming to you, then you (and your clothes) should be coming to us."
That's the motto of the Treasure Chest Consignment Boutique in downtown Christiansburg, which houses more than 27,000 items and a personality all its own.
In addition to a traditional mix of almost-new clothes and jewelry, shoes and hats, the store is developing a niche in reselling wedding gowns and formals. "The public has decided to make us a specialty shop for formals and bridal gowns, and I love that," said store owner Debbie Logwood.
Consignment stores are an increasingly popular shopping option today - drawing women looking for both value and an interesting mix of styles - not to mention the thrill of a great find.
Logwood attributes part of her store's growth to the overall increase of interest in consignment shopping. She teamed up with area consignment store owners from Bargain Mary's in Radford, Nicky's Retail in Christiansburg and Second Seasons in Blacksburg last year to do commercials. And Logwood said she does not hesitate to refer her shoppers to the other con-
signment shops. "It builds the consignment business when they go from one store to the next," she said
The boom in formal wear for these shops is almost an inevitable one. High school girls (and their mothers) spend hundreds of dollars each year for homecoming and prom gowns they only intend to wear once. Then there are bride's and bridesmaid's dresses, also destined for one-time wear.
"Women don't have to pay a fortune to still look beautiful," Logwood said. "Each time someone drives to Roanoke to look for a gown is a shame. We are trying to give people a reason to stay in the New River Valley and shop."
The Treasure Chest has approximately 60 bridal gowns and hundreds of formals of all different styles and sizes ranging from 3 to 22. Logwood supplements her supply of consignment gowns with wedding gowns from a warehouse retailer in Utah.
Several other consignment stores in the valley, such as Second Seasons in Blacksburg, also stock wedding gowns and formals.
For Logwood, the consignment operation turned out to be an affordable option for starting her own business.
She needed just $5,000 to start her first shop: a 1,500-square-foot building on North Franklin Street in Christiansburg. To open its doors in April 1995, all she needed was a small inventory. She turned to her mother and sister for help.
"I was completely overwhelmed at the community response when we wanted to open," Logwood said. "It seemed one day it was just my dream, and the next it was reality."
After just six months at her first shop, Logwood knew she needed to find more space for her business. In September 1995, she found just what she was looking for - about 3,000 square feet in an historical building across from the Montgomery County Courthouse in the heart of Christiansburg.
"Bill Aldridge owns the entire building, and he was looking for something to bring downtown back alive," Logwood said. "When I walked in, it just took my breath away. All the history of this 111-year-old building is felt. This is where I wanted to be."
With business tripling from her first year to her second, Logwood has dreams of expanding into 2,000 to 3,000 square feet of unused space in the building after her first child is born this fall. Logwood has not turned a profit in her first two years of business, and she does not pay herself a salary, but said she and her husband look at the store as an investment in their future.
The Treasure Chest takes items on consignment for a span of 60 days, after which if the item is not sold it can be either taken back by the original owner or donated to a local charity. If an item is sold, the original owner receives 50 percent of the profit.
"I would guess about 50 percent of the items brought in sell," Logwood said. "We have a markdown schedule that really moves items and keeps up with the current seasons."
Any item brought in is given a "full" price tag well below its original value. After 20 days, the item is marked down an additional 25 percent. If it's still on the shelves after 40 days, the item receives a 50 percent markdown.
"We have a wonderful layaway program that many of our customers take advantage of," Logwood said. "Especially around back-to-school time mothers will come in and put $200-300 worth of clothes on layaway, and in my store that's about 10-15 bags of clothes."
Debbie Logwood
Occupation: Owner, The Treasure Chest Consignment Boutique, 6 W. Main St., Christiansburg.
Type of business: Sale of consignment clothing, accessories, toys, household good, artwork, new Victorian items, vintage clothing, wedding gifts and more.
Personal: Born in 1968 in the small town of White Pine, Tenn., Debbie moved to Christiansburg in 1989 with her mother and sister. She attended New River Community College, studying to be a special education teacher. Instead of finishing college, she decided to open her own business. She married Tim Logwood, assistant director for the electric department in Radford, in September 1991. The couple is expecting their first child in September.
Two semipermanent fixtures in her store: Her 5-year-old niece, Jessica, and 3-year-old nephew, Duncan. Until recently, Logwood brought her niece and nephew to the store with her every day. Because of the size of the store, the two children have recently entered day care. "We're very family-oriented here. I miss them like crazy, and so do all my customers, so whenever possible I sneak them out and bring them with me."
Business philosophy: "Let God be in control at all times."
Five-year goal: "I would like to have the store double in size, and I want to be a successful part of the downtown community."
First job: Making deli sandwiches in a country store.
Worst job: "Being a waitress. The customers complained, and the tips were terrible."
Greatest influence: Her mother, Judy Steelman. "She's a very strong woman."
In her spare time: "I spend as much time as I can with my family."
Most recent vacation: "My husband and I went to the Virginia Tech-Miami game in December. My husband is a die-hard Hokie fan"
If I could change one thing in my life: "I would have continued my education. In fact, that's one of my personal goals."
Customers would describe her as: "Spunky. A lot of people tell me that I'm very friendly and very people oriented."
LENGTH: Long : 122 lines ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: GENE DALTON/THE ROANOKE TIMES. Debbie Logwood (center)by CNBdirects models during a
recent fashion show at the New River Valley Mall. color.