Entering Barbara Dietrick`s resale shop, Second Sensations, is reminiscent of being let loose in your mother`s closet. The small white frame house on Oak Park Avenue in Tinley Park contains a treasure trove of dresses, shoes, jewelry and trinkets.
Gentility pervades the main room, where day dresses, formal wear and casual clothing hang from racks. A sequined sweater and wide-brimmed hat have been arranged on the window shade behind a glass case full of artfully displayed jewelry and china cups. The back rooms contain more racks of clothing, books, china and glassware. The bathroom doubles as a dressing room, where a seating area brims with pillows.
Specializing in ”distinctive resale,” Second Sensations also has a small selection of men`s and children`s clothing. According to Dietrick, the children`s clothing goes out of the shop as quickly as it comes in. And the men`s section is gaining in popularity, she said, as men discover resale.
The room`s perimeter is filled with women`s shoes that cost from $5 to $8 a pair.
”Most of the shoes were ordered through a catalog and turned out to be the wrong size or color,” Dietrick said. ”Rather than bother with returning them, many women bring them in for resale.”
Second Sensations operates on a 50 percent consignment basis and items are held for 60 to 90 days. If an item isn`t sold during that period the consigner may take the item back, Dietrick may opt to extend the consignment period or the consigner may give Dietrick permission to donate the item to a Croatian relief fund.
”I became interested in Croatia through a friend of mine,” Dietrick said. ”Her church charters an airplane each month to send food and clothing to Croatia. I felt that any group that was that organized deserved
donations!”
The clothing at Second Sensations typically sells for one-quarter to one- third of the retail price. Dietrick said that most of her customers are looking for a unique outfit for a special social occasion or for corporate wear.
Dietrick has started a sideline called ”Rent a Ragg” to take advantage of the growing trend toward renting wedding gowns and formal wear. A wedding gown that retailed for $1,000 can be purchased for $225 or rented for two weeks for $105.
Consignment day is Wednesday, by appointment.
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Second Sensations, 17743 S. Oak Park Ave., Tinley Park, is open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. Call 708-633-0884.
