For many years, Patricia Johnson owned a vintage furniture and décor store in upstate New York, but relocated to the area at the height of the coronavirus pandemic assisting her family in Glencoe.
Still there were times Johnson wanted to get out of the house and do some shopping. Soon, one of her favorite destinations became the North Shore Exchange in downtown Glencoe as Johnson was enamored with the merchandise and employees at the luxury consignment shop.
“If I ever lived here, I would love to work here,” Johnson remembered.
What once was a dream actually became a reality as Johnson eventually moved from New York and late last year she started working at the Exchange. This past May, she was promoted to store manager.
“It’s a great atmosphere,” Johnson said. “Women come in because we know who they are and we acknowledge them by name. It’s a great experience.”
Johnson is part of the Exchange’s tapestry that recently celebrated the tenth anniversary of the first store in downtown Glencoe which began when representatives of the local Woman’s Library Club wanted to update its existing thrift shop on Hazel Avenue.
“It was a great concept where there would be supply and demand for resale of upscale luxury items,” recalled store founder Wendy Serrino.
The Exchange operates as a consignment model where people either donate the items or they get a commission when they are sold.
“It works as a win-win for everyone,” Director of Operations Ashley Prasad said.
Other Exchange officials traced the sustained success of the store that sells women’s fashion, home goods and furniture to shoppers growing interested in the environmental benefits of reusing existing materials.
“They have a real purpose because we all march to the same mission,” Johnson said.
Prasad added another reason for the Exchange’s success is customer attention.
“Women come in here and we give them the white glove service,” she said.
There is evidence in Prasad’s assertion as there have been approximately in $22 million sales with all the profits going to charity, according to Serrino. Moreover, what started out as the one Glencoe store eventually rose to three with stores now in Wilmette and Chicago’s Magnificent Mile.
On Sept. 18, the Exchange is scheduled to host its annual grant program at the nearby Writers Theatre. Over the last 10 years, $3.2 million in donations have been made to local charities with another $500,000 set to be distributed this year, Serrino said.
There have also been approximately in $600,000 in in-kind donations going to their charitable partners.
“We have changed lives,” Director of Philanthropy Nicole Hayek said. “We have donated to organizations that provides a roof over heads and food into stomachs of children.”
As pleased as they are with the past, Exchange officials are looking ahead.
The Glencoe store recently underwent a renovation with new flooring and lighting and there are strong sales at the Exchange’s website, but they are looking for ways to make it more efficient.
There are 28 employees today and about 100 volunteers but Hayek said continuing to find volunteers is an ongoing challenge.
But there are some expressions of satisfaction over the achievements over the last decade.
“We are just surprised and delighted it has done so well,” Serrino said. “Not only for the charities but also for the jobs and volunteer opportunities we have provided.”
Daniel I. Dorfman is a freelance reporter with Pioneer Press.
