Two sisters are trying to fulfill a lifelong dream by operating a consignment business that the two opened on March 13.
Kathy Wells and Roxanna Herrmann named their business Kwailty Konsignment and mentioned the spelling was a take off from the first letter in Wells first name.
Wells said while the two had discussed opening up a consignment shop for more than 30 years, they thought their dream might never happen.
Two years ago the sisters gave up on the idea because the timing due to the economy was not right to pursue their vision.
This time it happened, Wells said. The timing was right.
Wells, a Cortez resident, was driving on Main Street a few months ago, when she saw the building that once housed the Cowboy Trading Co. at 210 W. Main St. was vacant and for rent.
After Wells saw the sign she called her sister to ask her if she really wanted to pursue what they had been discussing most of their lives.
We wanted to do this forever, but the opportunity never happened until now, Wells said. When we were kids we wanted to do this.
While Wells once managed a thrift shop on a military base in New York, Herrmann said she had no retail experience and was learning things on the fly.
She said there is a need in Cortez for a consignment store, mentioning there are a few thrift shops in the city that operate differently than a consignment store. Thrift shops usually sell donated merchandise.
When a person brings in merchandise to the consignment store, a price is discussed and when the item sells, both the owner and business split the proceeds 50-50.
Herrmann said all the merchandise in the shop was once owned by someone else, whether that be clothes, shoes, furniture, tables or almost anything else.
Before opening its doors for business, the sisters advertised and took consignments for a month.
Herrmann said people are bringing in new items all the time.
There is new stuff all the time, she said.
Wells said the individual dropping off the item to be consigned can name the price he or she wants, but the business also has a shop and drop where residents can drop merchandise off and leave it up to Wells and Herrmann to set the price.
Herrmann said when she first saw the inside of the building she liked how big and wide open it was, and mentioned the back room where more items are for sale was a bonus.
She also said the business will take and sell almost anything. Herrmann added furniture and purses seem to sell very well.
Wells said many Montezuma County residents are not aware that there is a consignment shop in town. Besides the huge sign on the building, Wells and Herrmann advertised on the radio and in the Cortez Journal
Items the consignment business will not take include mattresses, cribs and car seats. It is currently full on clothing items.
The business is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Saturday and is closed on Sundays.
Michael Maresh can be reached at michaelm@cortezjournal.com