A Clayton favorite for years, Byrd Style Lounge (8117 Maryland, 314-721-0766, byrdstyle.com) has been the place to find spot-on trends and wardrobe staples. A weak economy and rising costs, however, recently forced Byrd owner Julie Stolar to get creative. In March, she rebranded the boutique as an upscale second-hand store. In light of the current financial state, this could be the smartest way to ride the next wave of the retail environment.
Why did you decide to make the switch? Instead of closing the doors, I wanted to do something different. I was tired of seeing the same thing at market every season. In changing the store, I was able to cut my overhead by 75 percent through eliminating new product; I actually don’t own the inventory now.
How does the consignment work? Clients make an appointment to bring in clothing. We sort through it, and after I select items, we agree on a sale price. Once it sells, I split it 50/50. I only keep inventory for 90 days. If it doesn’t sell, it goes back to the owner.
What has been a struggle? It has been tough to get people to understand the quality of the brands and that most of the merchandise has never been worn. Eighty percent of what’s on the racks still has tags. When we first switched over, many customers couldn’t tell because the items are brand-new. The remaining balance of clothing and accessories are true vintage, and I love the stories behind those pieces.
Where do you find the merchandise in your store? Many [clients] have not only remained customers, but also are a great source for clothes and accessories—they’ve become my new vendors. Many are closet vintage shoppers who go to France and Italy, where it’s chic to buy second-hand. It’s fun for me to see their closets and see handmade pieces from Karl Lagerfeld and Christian Dior.
Do you carry any new lines? Yes, we have Juxtapose Jewelry by Jen Cook and Jane Conrad’s jewelry collection. We also have Mrala Cielo clutches and wallets—each one designed using socially responsible materials.
Does most of the inventory move quickly? Yes. Before I made the switch, I would have a $600 Mackage coat sit in the store—it was tough to sell. Now, I have a Prada handbag for the same price that sold in a day. I also offer layaway or “ration-your-fashion,” as I like to call it. Customers may come in and want many pieces but can’t buy it all at once, so through layaway it goes off the floor and they make payments. There is a pretty quick turnover, and I’m going to many more private closets than I was just a couple months ago—it’s the new way to recycle!
