When both of their former jobs took turned sour, longtime friends Julie Hilland and Karen Moses decided there was no better time to start a business of their own.
We always shopped at consignment stores and thought, ‘Gee, that might be something we want to do,’ said Moses.
After researching the business, the two women from Slingerlands joined forces to start Something Olde, Something New, which celebrated its 10-year anniversary on Friday and Saturday, Sept. 28 and 29.
At the moderately sized shop located at Stonewall Plaza at the intersection of routes 85 and 85A, the pair sell high-quality used shoes, handbags and accessories, as well as vintage furniture, used and new linens, and home accessories.
Unlike thrift stores, consignment stores like Something Olde, Something New let customers sell their old goods for a percentage of the profits. Clothing, shoes, handbags and accessories are sold on a 60/40 percent basis, which means sellers receive 40 percent of the profits when their items are sold. Consigners of old furniture, linens or home accessories receive 50 percent of the profits.
Those interested in consigning at Something Olde, Something New have to make an appointment first.
`We set up appointments with all of our consigners so we can control the amount of inventory, otherwise the store will be too full. We want to turn things over so that we’re always bringing new in,` said Moses.
Moses and Hilland do research on the Internet to price some of their items, and they also rely on common sense and experience.
Many of their customers are regulars who have shopped there for years.
`You can get such good clothes at a great rate and price, to the point where I don’t even look at clothes at another store because I know I can get it cheaper here,` said Kathy Herrick of Rensselaer, who’s been shopping at the store for about three years.
Paula Barthel of Guilderland is also a regular shopper at Something Olde, Something New. Barthel said she often avoids the mall and other shopping centers to spend some time at the shop, which she said is a much friendlier environment.
`I love the girls; they keep such a great store,` she said of Moses and Hillard.
`The clothes are easy to find and in great condition. I really prefer to shop here.`
Barthel, who will be 60 in December, said she has a hard time finding clothes in other retail stores for her age group. Also a consigner, Barthel said she likes getting a little something back for giving up her stuff.
`The clothes you’ve outgrown, you can bring them here and get a little money to buy more. It’s wonderful,` she said.“