Cover Story

Second Time Around

B Chic boutique in Buckhead

By Ann Marie Quill | Photography by Duane Stork

"This is a $2,000 suit, and I'm hoping to sell it for $400," says B Chic owner Nancy Scalera as she walks through her Buckhead boutique. Follow her through the store and it becomes obvious she knows every piece and whether it will work for you.

Nancy Scalera shows off B Chic fashions.

The likes of Armani, Ralph Lauren, Prada, MaxMara, Jimmy Choo, Manolo Blahnik and other high-end clothing, shoe, jewelry and accessory lines fill the store. Heard a designer mentioned on Sex and the City? You'll probably find that line here, too.

But you don't have to shell out thousands to compete with the likes of Carrie, Charlotte, Samantha and Miranda thanks to Scalera, who opened B Chic in September as an upscale consignment boutique with just 150 items in the store. Now that number reaches 2,700.

"I opened it because I wanted to create my own business, one that helped women in some way," says Scalera, who worked in corporate marketing for 24 years and has lived in Atlanta for 20 years. "I chose consignment because I so appreciate well-made apparel and learned early on that you can buy designer clothing at very affordable prices. And I wanted to share that with women. Also, I used to shop in the garment district warehouses in lower Manhattan, sample sales as well as Loehmans in New York and New Jersey, when I was growing up, so I learned that you can dress sharp for a great value. And I have a good eye for a well-made piece."

Scalera uses that eye to carefully select a minimum of five pieces from potential sellers, ensuring the pieces, which should be no older than three years, have no spots or tears. Some have never been worn at all, still bearing the original tags. Once she accepts an item and it is sold, the consigner receives 40 percent of the proceeds. She says high-end pieces generally sell for anywhere between $200 and $2,000 in retail boutiques, but as consignment pieces can sell for 60 to 90 percent off. An item has 60 days to sell, and then Scalera will either return the piece to the owner or donate it to charity if the owner desires.

Scalera also forges relationships. She becomes the medium for the virtual bond that often develops between the seller and buyer. Generally, if a buyer likes a piece, then chances are she will like the next batch of goodies from the same seller, so Scalera will gladly notify her when more items from the seller come in.

She also hosts a "gals' night out" at the boutique once a month so that like-minded shoppers can try on clothes while mingling and enjoying wine and snacks.

B Chic is at 3277A Roswell Road, (404) 844-2442. To learn more about the boutique or to sign up for B Chic's monthly newsletter, visit www.bchicatlanta.com.