Distinctly Montana Magazine

Re-Couture BOZEMAN RE-COUTURE Owner: Lynell Parks Lynell’s motto is “Up- scale Resale, Choose to Reuse.” She started the business with Kristin Zangenberg two years ago when the economy dropped and the gals wanted new careers. Lynell had seen a news clip about how popular consignment stores were and she recalled the Tiffany-col- ored wrapping. She also had a closet full of clothes with the sales tags still on them. Kristin had a knack for finding quality items. So they started with high-end clothes but found that their furniture moved “nicely.” Customers were impressed with how fast items sold. Lynell bought out Kristin when Kristin had to move to California with her husband. She finds that around Bozeman many cus- tomers are decorating second homes. Re-couture 2320 W. Main Bozeman (406) 582-5710 SECOND IMPRESSIONS Owner: Corrine DeRuiter Hogan This elegant store is entirely devoted to furnishings. In fact, it is called a “Home Furnishings Gallery” where you “Get that million dollar look at a fraction of the cost.” Beautiful pieces are priced at half of retail and then re- duced further if the owner so chooses. The consignor also has the options of either taking back the item or donating it to Habitat for Humanity. Second Impressions 1662 Bobcat Drive, off Huffine Bozeman (406) 585-0700 BILLINGS BOURNE AGAIN SHOPPE Owner: Lietta Bourne No pun needed, the owner of this store’s last name is “Bourne.” The newest of the stores at six months, the owner has always loved retail. The other day she said some young women Valerie Harms is Editor of Distinctly Montana magazine. Second Impressions These are not the only outlets you’ll find in your town. Just as in the children’s story The Velveteen Rabbit, useful furniture often just needs a good new home. I asked a woman who haunts consignment stores about her shopping philosophy. She says, “I am always looking for the unique and perfect piece for me. Some people love the treasure hunt, some love the selection, and some are feeling the pinch of the economy. But all consignment shoppers love a bargain. If you go into a consignment store, you will see moms and kids, elderly couples, guys, and well-heeled middle-aged women all taking the journey together. That combined with the increasing popularity of recycling and reusing in our materialistic world make resale shopping the trend of the decade.” entered the place and suddenly shrieked. Prior to coming, they wondered if they would possibly find these tumblers they remembered from childhood, and there they were—right in front of them. Lietta says, “The pleasure customers get out of shopping consignment is the bringing back of memories and the chance to play.” She gets her furniture from people sizing down their homes or moving into assisted living or passing on. “Ev- ery day I display new things. Many visitors comment on how uncluttered the store is. They say that this is one of the neatest and cleanest stores they have had the pleasure to visit. I have been very, very pleased at the reception by the buying public.” Bourne Again Shoppe 1701 Grand Ave. (406) 281-8261 Billings www.bourneagainshoppe.webs.com 66 DISTINCTLY MONTANA • SPRING 2011

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