Consign Sewickley curates a luxury experience for customers

When you walk into Consign Sewickley on Beaver Street, you might find a chic Louis Vuitton handbag, a pair of Christian Louboutin heels with their signature red soles, a classic LelaRose dress or a sparkly gold necklace from Tiffany with the recognizable robin’s-egg blue packaging.

The store gives a second life to high-end and mid-level designer apparel and accessories.

Jennifer Zeitler opened the shop seven years ago. She moved to Sewickley from Florida, and has been in consignment shops across the U.S.

“I thought Sewickley could use a shop like this,” Zeitler said. “It was a niche that needed to be filled.”

The word consign means “to give over to another’s care.”

Zeitler and operations manager Rachel Abel of Sewickley take that meaning seriously. They carefully curate each piece. They talk with the person who is giving them items to sell at less than the original price. That person’s identity remains confidential. Most items are sold for 50-60% off the retail price.

Inventory changes daily.

Zeitler met Abel when she came in as a shopper. Abel is the one who coordinates looks and styles the mannequins in the window.

“Rachel has an extensive career in fashion,” Zeitler said. “The way she coordinates outfits and our window … Rachel makes items speak to each other.”

National Consignment Day, held on the first Monday in October each year, is Oct. 6. The day encourages people to sell items they no longer use or want to consignment stores and promotes sustainable fashion.

Consign Sewickley is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays to meet with those who want to consign, but Zeitler and Abel celebrate National Consignment Day all year long, Zeitler said. The day was created by online resale store, The RealReal, which specializes in luxury consignment.

The resale industry is doing well, said Adele Meyer, executive director of the National Association of Resale & Thrift Shops. The industry has experienced a growth — in number of stores — of approximately 7% a year for the past two years, according to the National Association of Resale & Thrift Shops.

There are currently more than 25,000 resale, consignment and not-for-profit resale shops in the U.S., according to the National Association of Resale & Thrift Shops.

The U.S. secondhand apparel market is expected to reach $73 billion by 2028, growing by 11% annually on average, according to the 2024 thredUP survey.

“People are much more aware of sustainability,” Meyer said. “Resale is about the thrill of the hunt and looking for ways to save money and find unique items at resale stores.”

Each shop looks for items that fit its brand based on its economic demographic, Meyer said. Resale shops are attractive because you never know what you will find, Meyer said.

Zeitler said they have people who consign and customers from all over Western Pennsylvania. She said they are working on an online shop. If something doesn’t sell, depending on what it is, it is either returned to its owner or donated.

All sales are final.

At one time, the store might have 50 high-end and mid-range designer brands from Zara and JCrew to St. John, Chanel and the aforementioned Louis Vuitton, which is the most sought-after brand. Prices range from $30 or $40 to thousands.

“We know a lot about our inventory, which is one reason people say they like us,” Abel said. “This business is about relationships. There is a lid for every pot. This is about helping people find something they love that makes their day. There is a trust factor.”

Part of that trust includes authenticating everything. Abel and Zeitler do their research to ensure quality.

“This is more than a store,” said customer Maria Aikins of Lower Burrell. “Jennifer merchandises so well and has a passion for this. She has a flair for displaying items and she is honest and will tell you if something doesn’t look right. And I appreciate that.”

Customer Leslie Wick of Collier said she appreciates Zeitler’s ability to put an outfit together.

“I love vintage looks,” Wick said. “Jennifer is a friend to everybody. She has a wonderful personality.”

Meyer said the resale industry is exciting because you can find something you love and oftentimes something you weren’t expecting to find. The shops also keep these pieces out of landfills.”

Zeitler said they are passionate about looking for quality fabrics and items that are well-constructed, things that aren’t mainstream.

“There is nothing in here that you need but things you might want,” Zeitler said. “And when you find something you love, it’s just magic.”