Savvy Seconds and 1sts
- May 2009Being green is on everyone's minds these days. When most people think of what they can do to be more green, they think of reusable shopping bags, driving less and walking or biking more, or reducing what they throw away and recycling the rest. But what about recycling clothes? When you consider all of the resources that go into making one item of clothing, really being green means wearing that item out or passing it on to someone who will—not sending it to a landfill. Fortunately, shopping for resale clothing is a green and affordable alternative to buying things new. And it offers its own set of benefits that you can't get at other stores. Not only is it fun to hunt for great bargains, where else can you trade in your clothes you don't wear anymore for a completely new wardrobe?
In Lincoln Square, just a few minutes by foot from the Rockwell Brown Line station, is a resale clothing shop called Savvy Seconds and 1sts. Co-owned by a mother-daughter team, the Lawrence Avenue storefront is full of really fashionable, fantastic bargains. Christin Rose Fasuga (the daughter) is the fashion maven who does all the buying and designs the displays, while Carmen Riehm (the mom) taps her 20 years of experience in the accounting field to manage the financial end of the business. You'll find both working in the store, as they share the shifts. Christin's eye for buying and skill at putting outfits together is part of what draws people back to the shop. "We have people who come in looking for Christin because they need help with an outfit," says Carmen. "She's really good at putting things together. Nine of ten people who come in here leave with something," says Carmen. "People always compliment us on what Christin buys."
The two decided to open Savvy Seconds and 1sts in May 2007. Resale clothing was a natural thing for them to sell. "My daughter and I have always enjoyed shopping resale stores," explains Carmen. "We loved searching for items like jeans and cowboy boots that really get better with wear." "I grew up shopping in resale stores," recalls Carmen. "We'd make our rounds in stores like Unique, the Salvation Army, and others. You'd have to search for hours sometimes, but you could find some really great items and they'd only cost a quarter." Although they loved shopping in second-hand stores, both agreed that the experience wasn't always ideal. "When you got home, sometimes you'd feel like you needed a shower," laughs Carmen. "We wanted to create a nice atmosphere in our store where you could find deals on gently worn or hardly worn clothes and accessories without having to spend hours sorting through the racks."
Before they opened their store, they searched everywhere for affordable shop fixtures, then came upon a stroke of good luck. Carson Pirie Scott on State Street announced it was going out of business and was offering fixtures for sale that filled its one million square feet of retail space. Carmen and Christin saw this as a sign that they were doing the right thing by opening their store and rushed down to the Loop to buy up whatever they could find. "By the end of the sale, they were reducing the prices so much it was like they were giving things away," recalls Christin. The two packed their bargains into a moving van and drove up to their new location on Lawrence Avenue.
Christin is a pro at the retail business. "I had a ton of retail jobs through high school and college," she explains. "At one store where I shopped on a weekly basis, the manager told me one day that I shopped so much there that I should work there. And sure enough I did, for four years." She spends a lot of time visiting other stores to get a sense of what's in that season or what pricing is like these days. Carmen, on the other hand, had only experienced the retail world from the point of view of a shopper. "When I was about 16, I worked in a men's retail shop for about all of 12 minutes," laughs Carmen. "I don't really have a retail background at all." Both speak fluent Spanish, which comes in handy in a multicultural neighborhood like Lincoln Square. "We loved that this is such a diverse area and that it's so up-and-coming," says Carmen.
Savvy Seconds and 1sts is the best kind of retail shop because it offers a mix of new and second-hand items for women. Currently the shop has a small selection of men's and children's clothing, but when that's gone—it's gone. Christin and Carmen have decided to focus on apparel and accessories for women. About 25% of the shop is filled with new, never-worn items that come from labels like Bebe, Arden B, Ann Taylor, Abercrombie & Fitch, American Eagle Outfitters, Forever 21, Charlotte Russe, and BCBG. "We have a BCBG dress, for example, that retails for $150 and we have it here for $35," explains Carmen. "Those kinds of items are really well-made and will last for a long time. When you get something similar from a discount store, it may last just a little while before it fades or rips." Some of the new items that come in have slight defects, which Carmen and Christin have repaired before the garments go out for sale.
As you'd imagine, the inventory is always turning over, as people bring in new items to sell. Typical items you'll find? Sleeveless and strappy tops that are perfect for a night on the town, classic work attire, and casual items like t-shirts and jeans. Jeans, in particular, are a specialty. Savvy Seconds and 1sts stocks them for women of all sizes, from 0 and up. "Smart shoppers can get a great deal here," explains Carmen. "It can cost anywhere from $100 to $300 to buy a pair of jeans nowadays. But we sell used pairs here that end up looking better than they do off the rack because they're already worn in." Prices on jeans range from $5 for basic brands, to $20-$50 for designer brands. Not only will you find a large selection of clothing, the shop has a great variety of accessories such as purses, sunglasses, jewelry, and hats. And, shoes—lots of shoes—many in such great shape that they could never have been worn. From sandals to boots, you can put the finishing touch on your outfit.
Christin stocks the shop with something for everyone, whether they favor chic or classic looks. "Mothers can very comfortably shop here with their daughters," says Christin. "Some of the resale shops in town are super-trendy or super-specific about the name brands they'll carry. The other day, I helped a lady who was in her 80s find a great dress. Trends come in and out all the time. I try to buy a lot of timeless items." Savvy Seconds and 1sts adjusts its stock with the seasons, so there's a good reason to come back regularly to see what's available. "We have repeat customers that have been regulars since day one," explains Christin. "We even have a few personal shoppers who come in." Many of their regulars are from outside the neighborhood, too. "We have customers who visit us from the far South Side, from Gurnee, and other places," explains Carmen.
Part of the buying process at Savvy Seconds and 1sts includes giving back—both to the community and its customers. Anyone can bring items they want to sell on Tuesdays or Fridays. If Christin decides to purchase your item, you'll have the option to shop for something new with a credit for 50% of the value of what you've sold that you can use to get new items you'll actually wear. Or if you are really trying to pare down your wardrobe and you prefer cash, you'll be paid about 30% of the value of what you've sold. There's no consignment, so you get paid right on the spot. Christin is a selective buyer, which means there's always a chance she won't take something you've brought. But you can leave unwanted items with them to be part of the shop's regular charitable donations. "We also donate a portion of our monthly sales to different homeless shelters," says Carmen. "Right now we're donating both clothing and cash to the Franciscan Outreach program. We try to be as kind as possible, always. We both believe in karma."
Even if you're not selling clothes, Savvy Seconds and 1sts offers lots of opportunities to get a bargain—while living a bit greener. The shop sells reusable shopping bags and takes $1 off your total purchase whenever you bring one in to shop. "As soon as we use up our last plastic bags, we're going to switch over completely to the reusable bags," explains Carmen. When you spend $75 or more, you get to pick out a free item of jewelry or a pair of sunglasses. Savvy Seconds and 1sts also offers shopping parties. Groups of 10 or more can come in to shop together, enjoy snacks and beverages, and receive a discount off every item they purchase that day. And this year, Christin and Carmen will be selling a selection of their wares at Andersonville's Midsommarfest in June.
Smart shoppers are catching on to the great deals on fabulous fashions you can get at Savvy Seconds and 1sts. The shop was recently featured on the NBC show "24/7 Chicago," which hunts for the best secrets around the city. "They came by and interviewed us for about three hours," recalls Carmen. "We were very grateful for the opportunity," says Carmen. You can watch the show either on the 24/7 Chicago website or on YouTube.
Both mother and daughter enjoy watching how the shop is blossoming. "I loved seeing everything come together," says Carmen. "I'm the type of person who likes juggling a bunch of balls in the air. I like the challenge of figuring out how to market this place." All the extra hours they've spent together running a business has made their relationship stronger. "I'm really lucky. I work with my best friend," says Christin. She also has a lot of fun with the customers. "I really enjoy our regulars," says Christin. "On a typical day, we're in here shooting the breeze. I always have good music on, so we're singing, dancing, and having a great time." And, it seems that customers feel the same way. "We really give our customers personal service," explains Carmen. "When you try something on, we'll give you our honest opinions about things. We're not just here to sell you something. That's one of the reasons why people really appreciate shopping with us."
Savvy Seconds and 1sts
2707 West Lawrence Avenue
Chicago, IL 60625
773.728.8920
www.savvysecondsand1sts.com
Hours:
Tuesday through Friday 11am - 7pm
Saturday 11am - 6pm
Sunday 12pm - 4pm
Closed Monday
View More Lincoln Square Chamber of Commerce Business Profiles
This feature is brought to you by Swartwerk Media Design, Inc.
