Upscale-resale fashion chain opens in Midlothian

Published August 26, 2013 by Paula C. Squires

          
Bargain shoppers have a new place to shop for used designer brand women’s clothing in Chesterfield County. Clothes Mentor, America’s largest upscale-resale chain for adult women, has opened a store at 9762 Midlothian Turnpike, west of Powhite Parkway.

It offers clothing from 40 popular brands including Talbots, Ann Taylor, Lilly Pulitzer, Loft, Lane Bryant, and DNYK in sizes 0 to 26 or 4x. In addition, the store stocks regular, maternity, petite and plus sizes as well as accessories such as shoes, jewelry and purses from such names as Coach and Kate Spade. According to a company press release, the average price for an item is $13.

“We fit the growing style, brand and value consciousness of Richmond-area women who love fashion and adore 70 percent savings.  Equally important, customers selling us quality, good-condition merchandise receive immediate cash, …” store owner Kimberly Solomon, said in a statement.

Solomon, who also owns a children’s resale clothing store franchise, Once Upon a Child in Colonial Heights, (that's not related to Clothes Mentor) plans another store near Richmond in the near future. Based out of Wayzata, Minn., Clothes Mentor®is a national franchise made up of independently owned stores operated by local franchisees under a licensing agreement.  The national chain has 91 stores, with  several in Virginia in locations in Short Pump in Henrico County, Fredericksburg, Newport News and Virginia Beach.

           Clothes Mentor buys clothing in good condition that must be freshly laundered and free of stains, fading, missing buttons or broken zippers.  Clothing can be brought in any time, without appointment.  If accepted, customers receive cash– unlike consignment stores, which pay when the item sells.