Business steady for Corner Closet Boutique

By JAMES EIK

Staff Reporter

Owning a consignment store is second nature to Jennifer Tappero, who opened the Corner Closet Boutique in Medical Lake last November.

At the store, Tappero accepts gently used women's and men's clothing and accessories. She offers to pay the donating customer 40 percent cash when the item sells, or 30 percent immediate store credit. Items from junior sizes on up are able to be donated.

Since its opening Nov. 12, Tappero said business has been steady.

“I've been in the black both months so far,” she said. The business is even making a profit this month, despite only being a little more than halfway finished.

Tappero said the idea to open a consignment store stemmed from a desire to be in Medical Lake more often. In the mornings, she can be found working at the Spokane Men's Center in Airway Heights, where her husband Russ is the director. From noon to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, however, Tappero operates the consignment store.

The idea to pursue another consignment store was based on two things: women and their clothing.

“We like buying new things, but we're always revolving our clothes. It's nice to come and get affordable clothing and get something for the clothing that you bought a few weeks earlier,” she said. “Right now I have a lot of prom dresses coming in, and those things are worn just once.”

With her four children in the city's school district, she wanted to be in town a bit more often.

Before their current time in the city, the family lived in Medical Lake some years ago before moving to Spokane. During their first time in Medical Lake, Tappero operated a consignment store that catered to children's clothing from two of the rooms in her home.

The idea to open the store hit her toward the latter part of the summer, she said.

“People in the community have loved coming in,” she said.

To prepare for the opening, Tappero's husband helped put up many of the racks inside, built shelves and helped with the overall look of the store. The building's exterior was refreshed by Debi Hancock, owner of Studio D Hair Design, the boutique's neighbor.

Until she moved in, the building had been vacant for nearly a year.

After nearly two months of operation, Tappero said nearly $700 of consignment has come in to the store. Although most of the items are women's clothing and accessories, a small section of the store is dedicated to men's clothing.

Opening a new business during a recession weighed heavily throughout the decision-making process.

“We tried to put as little into it at the beginning,” Tappero said of her business plan, which reflected the uncertainty of the economy. “I kept thinking this was the worst time to open a business, but God's on our side.”

Although the business is still in its infancy, Tappero has some general plans for growth. Among the areas she thinks could be done in the next year include increasing the variety of furniture for sale in the boutique.

“Other than that, just keep going with the way that we're going,” she said. “It seems to be working really well.”

The reception to the new store, she said, has been nothing short of positive from customers. Some members of the community, however, had reservations about how it would affect the Medical Lake Care and Share, which is the largest supplier of funds for the city's Food Bank.

Items received by the boutique, Tappero said, wouldn't have likely been donated to the Care and Share, as customers were seeking some sort of return on their new or gently used clothing. Any items that don't sell after two months, and which the customer donating the clothing doesn't want back, will go to the Teen Challenge thrift store, the Care and Share or other similar area charities.

“The more shops we have in town, the more people stay. There's more variety,” she said.

Prices in the store are typically under $25, with only a few items crossing that line.

In addition to clothing, Tappero also sells items created by local craft makers. From crocheted headbands and hats to jewelry, she is looking forward to continuing her involvement with talented folks in the area.

The Corner Closet Boutique is located at 104 S. Lefevre St. in Medical Lake.

James Eik can be reached at [email protected].