The idea of Tammy Eshbaugh owning a retail business was somewhat of a joke 13 years ago.
The Lower Burrell woman and her husband, Brian, decided to buy a few items at an online auction of a closing country club.
“We didn’t realize how much we bought until we picked it up,” Eshbaugh said. “My husband jokingly said, ‘Let’s open a store.’
“I said, ‘We can’t do that, we’re too busy.’ Well, he found a place we could look at three days later. … We met with the landlord, the rent was reasonable and it was a month-to-month lease. I thought, ‘How could I not at least try?’”
It turned out to be a worthwhile endeavor. This and That Resale, 2748 Leechburg Road in Lower Burrell, has nearly doubled its space. It’s grand re-opening was Wednesday.
Hours will be 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesdays through Fridays, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays.
“We’re making the store bigger, and adding an extra day,” Eshbaugh said.
The property owner changed hands about a year ago, and a conversation between Eshbaugh and the new landlord sparked the idea to expand the space.
The current space was about 1,100 square feet, Eshbaugh said. The addition has added another 750 square feet.
Mayor Chris Fabry said the store’s growth is a bright spot for Lower Burrell.
“It shows that small businesses can not only survive but succeed when the community rallies behind them,” Fabry said. “Supporting local shops is one of the best ways we can all invest in the long-term vitality of our city.”
Retired from 30 years of selling real estate, Eshbaugh said she enjoys the consignment business.
“My original thought was, I want people to walk in and possibly find something,” she said. “We’re running the gamut of having, again, this and that.”
Furniture pieces are the most popular items, she said.
“People come in here a lot for furniture,” she said. “I’m very particular about it. It may be old and it may not always be perfect, but I get a lot of great pieces.”
One of the additions, Eshbaugh said, is a “Man Cave” that has tools, beer memorabilia and more.
“It’s things guys would like,” she said.
Eshbaugh said her resale philosophy is to be fair with prices. She makes sure the items are of good quality.
“I want customers to get a good product at a reasonable price, and I explain that to people,” she said. “It’s a win-win for everybody.”
