36 hours in Columbus … if you are a fashionista on a budget
By Alice Budge
Budget-price fashion begins with consignment shops. The Columbus area has a dozen or more, fitting different shapes and sizes, for children, teens and adults, all at far-below retail prices. Some are just starting. Others have been in business for 20 years. Women’s clothes are the staple offering, but there are accessories and jewelry too. That old standby, Goodwill, is here, as well, with expanded offerings in bright, new stores. Note that days and hours of operation vary.
Here are 10 must-shops for a fashionista on a budget if you have 36 hours in Columbus, written by Alice Budge.
#1 – New For You Consignment Boutique now in new location
UPDATED — New For You Consignment Boutique, now at 4405 Armour Road, features brand-name clothing: Talbot’s, Chico’s, Anne Klein, Jones New York, Gap and others. Some new items with labels still attached. Nice bracelets, watches, purses and shoes. Nicely arranged in four rooms. I saw two small-size Ellen Tracy jackets at half-price. Racks of regularly priced clothes, some racks 25 percent off, and a small room with a 50 percent-off rack. Sizes 8-24, but not too many in large sizes. In business for over two decades with consistent hours and friendly service.
Get maps and directions: New For You Consignment Boutique
#2 – New owner, fresh stock keys to Second Time Around
Second Time Around, 2111 Manchester Expressway, has a new owner with lots of fresh stock at good prices. A bright welcoming store with friendly service. Name brands. I purchased a shawl, scarf, blouse and purse all marked down for $32. Total. Color-coded tickets indicate price markdowns – including some at 50 percent off. Received the Ledger- Enquirer Reader’s Choice Award for 2015.
Get maps and directions: Second Time Around
#3 — Designer clothes, accessories at Encore Boutique
Encore Boutique, 3151 Williams Road, is a large store containing name-brand clothing. Many clothes and purses have original tags. All tags are discounted each month. I noted a scarf that was put on the shelf two months ago at $17 was now $10. A solid selection of designer clothes and a large glass-enclosed jewelry case with necklaces, earrings and bracelets. A big rack with jeans and a separate rack with Chico’s jackets. The shop caters to all age groups – trendy plus. Across from Walgreen’s.
Get maps and directions: Encore Boutique
#4 – Chic Consignments winner of Reader’s Choice Awards since opening in 2010
Chic Consignments, 1648 Whittlesey Road, sells women’s clothing, jewelry and shoes in a small shopping plaza near many other retail stores. Open since 2010, Chic Consignments has won Ledger-Enquirer Reader’s Choice awards each year since. The shop features numerous name brands including Talbot’s, Chico’s, Vera Bradley, Anne Klein, and Ann Taylor among others. Clothes are organized by size and color. On the day I visited, a sign announced “Happy Friday 10% off” and another sign read “20% off black clothing.” I bought a zebra striped bracelet for $2 and received a 10 percent discount.
Get maps and directions: Chic Consignments
#5 – Consign Design “only designer consignment boutique” in Phenix City
Consign Design, 5009 Summerville Road in Phenix City, is an attractive shop in a small shopping plaza open since Spring 2015. (Look for the flower basket and balloons signaling the entrance.) Advertised as the “only designer consignment boutique” in Phenix City. Brands include Ann Taylor, Chico’s, J.Crew and Coldwater Creek. I bought a Coldwater Creek jacket for $15.
Get maps and directions: Consign Design
#6 – Once Upon A Child: Great store for anyone with children (or grandchildren)
Once Upon A Child, 2521 Airport Thruway, is a terrific shop. It’s part of a chain selling children’s clothing, toys and books, and such baby gear as strollers, bouncers, bassinets, and so forth. No car seats nor items that do not meet safety standards. Clothing includes newborn to size 16 – outerwear, costumes, sleepwear, shoes. Helpful saleswomen, enthusiastic shoppers (many of them) including children with their small-size shopping carts accompanying mothers with large full ones. A great store for anyone with children (or grandchildren).
Get maps and directions: Once Upon a Child
#7 – Plato’s Closet targets teens, 20 somethings
Plato’s Closet, 5592 Whitesville Road, sells young women’s and young men’s clothing – jeans, tops, pants, shorts, shoes, scarves, jewelry. A shop for teens and 20 somethings. Stylish clothing that is current and in good condition. Cash paid on the spot for items accepted. Part of a chain; the size of a big-box store.
Get maps and directions: Plato’s Closet
#8 – Broadway Jewelry’s antique and vintage jewelry nicely presented, organized in cases
Broadway Jewelry, 1044 Broadway, sells antique and vintage gold and silver jewelry, Native American jewelry, antique ivory, costume jewelry and more. The shop is full of attractive items nicely presented and organized in cases. I was struck by the vintage beads made into earrings, sterling silver pins and rings, and vintage Mexican silver items – early 1900s. There are also pearls, vintage dress clips and pill boxes, many broaches and hair clips. Prices are reasonable – some items for $12 (even a sale rack of pins for $5). Prices move up, but most are midrange. I was particularly taken by the small stand of Bakelite bracelets ranging in price from $35-$185. A necessary stop for those interested in jewelry.
Get maps and directions: Broadway Jewelry
#9 – Costume, antique jewelry in many of the Junque Yard’s booths
Junque Yard, 513 14th Street. Don’t be misled by the name or the rusting porch and yard furniture outside. This is a well -appointed large space with many vendors and booths largely devoted to antique and shabby/chic furniture (and interior decoration). But you can also find costume and antique jewelry in many of the booths. For example: an apple coral necklace, $12; button necklaces $5-$10; showy pins and earrings $3, $4, and $5; bangle bracelets $2-$10. For anything over $50 you can ask the person at the desk to call the owner and perhaps negotiate a lower price.
Get maps and directions: Junque Yard
#10 – Newest of four Goodwill stores is welcoming, clearly organized, large dressing rooms
The Goodwill store in Cross Country Plaza, 3201 Macon Road, is the newest of four Goodwill stores in Columbus and Phenix City. “Welcome to Goodwill,” a cashier greets you as you walk in. The store is clearly organized with nice large dressing rooms. There is a sign that announces “color of the week” – items with that color are 50 percent off. Women’s blouses $2-$4, jeans $5.99, skirts $3.99, shorts $3.49. The store also sells infants, toddlers and children’s clothes. Men’s clothes too. The plaza also has low-price retailers Cato and Rainbow.
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