Photo Karen Graham.
Charlotte Clements now operates two consignment shops in Millbrook. She is pictured in the new, up-market Antiques shop where shoppers can find larger furniture pieces, Persian rugs and a suit of armour to guard your front door.
Customers who enjoy exploring the ever-changing inventory at The Joneses consignment shop in Millbrook have a new destination to visit just across the street.
Charlotte Clements is changing the offering at Menzies’ House, at 30 King St. East, where she and her sister have operated a bridal shop for several years, from dresses to antiques. With the closure of some of the bridal shop’s main suppliers and increasing pressure on her sister who is a paramedic in Peterborough, the time seemed right for Charlotte to drop the dresses expand her consignment business.
Six years ago, Millbrook welcomed the arrival of her first shop called The Joneses. Along with two partners, Charlotte launched this unique home décor store offering consignment items such as estate and up-cycled furniture and household items as well as local mugs, tees and sweatshirts with Millbrook and/or Cavan Monaghan logos. Inspiration for this shop came from the three original partners’ real estate experience, where many of their customers faced an urgent need to shed belongings as they transitioned to new homes. That trend continues. Charlotte finds a continuous flow of inventory through photography work she does for realtors, who refer customers who are downsizing or managing estate sales. This new store builds on that concept and simplifies the process for the sellers with a house full of superfluous items. Rather than have an auction house skim off the larger more valuable pieces leaving the homeowners to find other avenues to dispose of other items, Charlotte assumes responsibility for all unwanted contents, hosting estate sales and selling items in her stores. Pieces are not suited to either store find new homes in charity shops. The service can be very helpful during a time of considerable stress triggered by significant relocations or unwinding estates.
Consigners need not have a house full of items to sell; individual pieces are welcome. To avoid misunderstandings, would-be consigners provide photos of their pieces and Charlotte confirms the selling price when the shops can accept delivery of the items, which is the responsibility of the customer.
Thanks to a reputation of providing a fair deal, word of mouth generates business on both sides of the transaction. Suppliers receive 60% of the sale proceeds with no hidden fees or charges, and customers find an ever-changing inventory of reasonably-priced, unique furniture and home décor items each providing their own unique story. There must be an interesting one behind the suit of armour currently on display at the new shop. Drop into either of these two retail outlets where you might find your own conversation-starter to breathe new life into your own décor. For more information, find the stores on Facebook, or call/text 705-772-5663. KG
