Editor’s note: The following is the first in a series of profiles of Belle Plaine businesses.
Business name: New 2 You Consignment Shop
Address: 828 12th Street, Belle Plaine
Owner: Lynn Markham (sole employee)
In business here for 11 months
The store features quality second hand clothing for men, women and children and shoes and other accessories.
“Business has gone very well so far, especially with the economy,” Markham says. The store offers a bright airy shopping experience with an organized inventory. She said she takes consignments for only 90 days, then either returns them to the owner or donates them to Goodwill. Consigners receive 50 percent of the sale price, with their earnings available immediately after the sale.
Markham says she accepts only good quality used clothing for her store, no holes stains or wear and tear. She accepts only 10 items at a time from any consigner. Prices charged are generally much less than in consignment stores in Cedar Rapids or other larger cities, she said.
She moved her operation from a store she formerly had in Toledo. She donated items for disasters, such as the Parkersburg tornado victims and victims or recent floods in Eastern Iowa.
Downtown shoppers have commented on her ever-changing store display windows. When Iowa played Iowa State in football this fall, she devoted a window to clothing promoting each team. She is also designing a Facebook page for her business.
Lynn, I love your store. I drive out from CR just to shop at it!!! Congratulations!!
It is much cleaner and organized then the previous business in that store. Not so cluttered. Oh, and I love your door graphics. wink wink!!
Lynn, you’ve made a great addition to our downtown shopping area. We welcome you and wish you the best of luck for many years to come.
Lynn..you said it all! Your store is a great addition to Belle Plaine! I am sure everyone can see you have put a lot of effort into it to make it a desirable shopping experience. Keep up the good work! And to everyone who has not shopped at Lynn’s store…your loss!
Way to go, Lynn.. .success for you only means more success for all of our downtown businesses and our city . .so here’s to your continued good fortunes and profits and we hope you accomplish all of your goals.
I love your store. It is so clean, organized, and bright. I love to come see whats new because you are always adding new items. Keep up the great work!
NaNa you have done a great job with the store everyone loves it and so do I. Many many years to go. You have to catch up with me (23yrs). Good luck always!!