In April, lifelong Chelsea resident Stephanie Merkel became the new owner of Shabby Chic Consignments, an upscale women’s resale shop in Oak Tree Plaza. Former owner Kris Vermilye–who built a following of more than 600 consignors since opening the shop three years ago–says she went back to work when her previous employer offered a promotion that was “too good to pass up.” After taking the job, she adds, “My first phone call was to Jamie and Stephanie at the Resale Boutique [in Saline] to see if they wanted this as a second location.” Jamie Westcott was a mentor for Vermilye when she started Shabby Chic. Merkel had worked for Westcott for four years. “I was comfortable there, but sometimes you have to take a leap,” Merkel says.
She says the biggest sellers are handbags and jewelry–“because they always fit!” And she’s carrying some “awesome shoes.”
Shabby Chic Consignments, 12855 E. Old US-12 (Oak Tree Plaza), 433-9730. Tues.-Fri. 10 a.m.-7 p.m., Sat. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Closed Sun. and Mon., shabbychicconsignments.com.
