Special Day Consignment opens in Rochester

• embed
• link
• info

Embed

URL

Open Standard Media Player version 1.1

Built by Alethia Inc.

00:00

00:00

Necessity is the mother of invention, and Diane Monaghan of Kenyon took those words to heart. When she was planning a Jan. 7, wedding for her daughter, Jennifer, they wanted to save on items that would only be used for that one day. Monaghan said they had a difficult time finding table decorations or other wedding items they wanted on the secondary market. The mother and daughter knew that buying a wedding dress or bridesmaid dresses from a private party would be less expensive than purchasing new from a bridal store, but did not feel comfortable going to a stranger’s home and trying on clothes.
Monaghan said there had to be an easier way for people to find and sell reasonably priced bridal and formal wear. An idea was formed, and on Jan. 9 of this year, she and son Richard opened Special Day Consignment. The shop, located on Second Street Southwest in Rochester, sits in a busy location between St. Marys Hospital and the Mayo Clinic, just down a few blocks from the Ronald McDonald House. Richard Monaghan takes care of the shop during the week while Diane Monaghan works her regular job at Blue Cross Blue Shield. On Saturdays she drives down to Rochester to help him.
She has a masters degress in business administration, and he is currently taking college courses at Rassmusen College in Eagan for computer science. Their educations make a nice fit for running a business and a creating a web presence. Richard Monaghan said they are working much of the online visibility through Facebook right now, but he is creating a website for the store.
The consignment shop format is a great way to recycle those items people no longer need, according to Diane Monaghan. It is an economical way for another bride to have the wedding she is dreaming of, and the consignor can make a little extra cash.
After all, she said, who needs 10 decorated hurricane lamps after the wedding? Besides the dresses and decorative items, the shop also carries jewelry. Cindy Erickson from Mantorville is creating custom jewelry and hair pieces for the shop. She can also do special messages in crystals on the bottom of the bride’s shoes. One pair in the store featured the message “I Do Forever;” a special touch for a special day.
Along one side of the shop, a selection of wedding gowns and formal dresses are displayed. Stock depends on what is brought in, but they carry mother of the bride and bridesmaid attire as well as dresses suitable from prom and other formal occasions. Some of the dresses are new, and some have been worn and dry-cleaned. Prices vary depending on the make and design of the dresses.
“I never realized how many people planned their wedding and never went through with it,” said Monaghan. “Another thing we are seeing is that brides purchase two dresses and then wear the one that feels best on their wedding day.”
Those scenarios are perfect for the consignment shop, because the woman (and her bridesmaids) can bring their dresses in to sell and not worry about dealing with all the people who come to look and try on.
Richard Monaghan said he is amazed at how many people are planning a wedding, but have no idea what they want to do. Having a variety and quantity of decorations in different color schemes and designs is helpful. Also, saving in one area of planning often means a couple can afford to get more detail items, such as mirror bases to go under the table centerpieces.
The response from customers has been very positive, said the Monaghans. The shop seems to be filling a niche in the area. Diane Monaghan said there is not another formal wear consignment shop like theirs within 50 miles. They have joined the Rochester Chamber of Commerce, and are making connections with other businesses in the area. The Monaghans welcome both shoppers and consignors, and remind folks to check back again because new items come in each week.
At the Kenyon Thrift Store, clerks Fred Rolstad and Rachael Estrada confirmed that many people are looking to consignment and thrift stores for purchases, even those as special as wedding attire. Once people realize what they can find, they come back again, said Rolstad.