Published: April 26, 2008 09:55 pm         

Hidden Treasures Consignment thriving in Beckley

Robin Manning says her new consignment shop, Hidden Treasures Consignment, has exceeded all of her expectations since its April 1 opening.

Manning says she has a sense of humor, but didn’t think about the fact she opened the new shop on April Fool’s Day.

“I never really thought about it that way,” she said.

Despite being open for less than a month, the Beckley store is already thriving. Manning says, “Business has been beyond our expectations.”

But the sudden success of Hidden Treasures is not just a lucky accident.

Manning, who grew up on Old Eccles Road, is seasoned in the business of a consignment shop.

“I worked at Granny’s for a while and really enjoyed the people who would come in to shop or visit,” Manning said. “Everyone said I should open my own shop.”

After her husband Eddie hurt his back working in the coal mines, Manning said she gave serious consideration to opening her own consignment business.

“I thought, ‘Well, this is as good a time as any,’” she said.

The thriving shop is located at 606 Eisenhower Drive.

“We have truly been blessed,” she said. “We have done very well at this location. The traffic is constant along this road.”

The theme of the business is “Hidden Treasures Consignment, useful junk and antiques.” From the fun displays throughout the shop, to the polite service, to the inviting interior to the reasonable prices, Hidden Treasures is a place shoppers will want to add to their weekend (or weekday) shopping list, according to Manning.

“We have something for everyone,” she explained. “From antiques to furniture to baby clothes and more, we have it here.”

Manning operates the shop with the help of her two daughters — Stacey Hatfield and Shawna Epperly.

“It’s a family thing here,” she said.

Her father and mother, Jim and Alura Ratcliff, also help, along with a brother, Jimmy.

“They have all been here for me,” she said. “I couldn’t do it without them.”

Mommysavers.com reports that consignment shops (also called resale shops) can be found in most large and mid-size communities. They can be a convenient way to find and purchase antiques, used clothing, knickknacks, or even furniture.

“When we get furniture it sells almost immediately,” Manning said.

The way consignment works at Hidden Treasures is a 50 percent split, Manning explained.

“Everything is 50/50, expect furniture and that is a 60/40 split with them getting 60 percent and the shop gets 40 percent,” she said.

Manning says there are also spaces are available at the shop for rent.

“I don’t charge any commission,” she said. “All they pay me for is renting the space.”

The new shop offers a large variety of merchandise, including hand-made items, antiques, furniture, baby clothes, children’s toys, knick-knacks and much more, Manning says.

“Our renters all bring in different stuff,” she said. “So there is a large variety of items to choose from.”

The shop offers a 30-day layaway plan.

“We require 20 percent down and payments can be made for up to 30 days,” she said.

Manning says the shop is always looking for furniture, baby clothes and antique items.

The National Association of Retail and Thrift Shops (www.narts.org) points out that there are numerous reasons for the increased popularity of resale, consignment and thrift shops.

One, according to the association, is that consignors, donors and sellers make money by selling “under-loved” items at these shops, without the expense, work, and bother of a tag or garage sale. By having a resale expert price and market their goods, sellers realize more income than if they attempted to do this themselves, the Web site reported.

“We have so many people tell us they just like coming to a consignment shop,” Manning said. “The antique items seem to bring back many good memories for a lot of our older shoppers. It’s a fun place to shop.”

The shop is open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday and closed on Sunday.

For more information, call Manning at the shop at 929-2023.