116 3rd St SE
Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52401
My Biz: Resale shop blossoms in Tiffin
Rehomeology’s thrift items sold out of large storage unit
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TIFFIN — Jacqueline Connolly loves finding distinctive vintage items. In the last several years, she’s helped others fall in love with great vintage finds as well.
Connolly is the proprietor of Rehomeology, a resale shop in Tiffin. The store not only has distinctive items, but also a distinctive location.
“I operate out of a large, open, single-room commercial storage unit that is transformed to a magical retail space,” Connolly said. “It is full of amazing pre-owned, one-off items for sale in a multitude of design styles, from vintage and midcentury modern to industrial and contemporary.”
Connolly, 54, personally finds many of the items she sells but also takes a limited number of consignment items.
“Due to limited space, I am selective on what I take in,” she said.
But shoppers will always find vintage decor, home goods, accent furniture, books, wall decor, lamps, clothing, jewelry, and accessories on the days the storage unit is open for business.
“Our items are priced to sell,” Connolly said. “I love having the store open so that I can share what I have found and see the joy and excitement the experience of shopping at Rehomeology brings to people.”
The approach, limited hours
Connolly said she “made up” her shop’s name — re-home-ology.
The shop’s items, she said, are “curated and cleaned, unique and quality preowned items for your home and you. Not thrift pricing but not antique either … just the ‘good stuff’ at great prices."
She also likes to joke that the new arrivals are usually old.
The store first opened in October 2022. Customers can follow Rehomeology on social media to see new items posted, check out flash sale dates, and see what days the store will be open, always the first and third Saturday of each month.
“This is what is referred to as an ‘occasional’ store, meaning it is open occasionally,” Connolly said. “Thankfully, my business has grown over the years, and our open days are busy and buzzing with excitement.”
“People often ask why I have such limited hours,” she added. “Rehomeology is a ‘side hustle,’ so to speak, as I have a regular full-time position as an office manager and accounts receivable manager.
“But I also have an eye for products and design and creating displays and vignettes in the shop. It’s a creative outlet for me.
“Each time I am open, I have about 50 percent returning customers and 50 percent new, and I am so excited by that. It’s the new, well, old new, products that bring people back every couple of weeks.”
Thrifting
Connolly’s love of vintage and thrifted items started in childhood and has only grown through the years, she said.
“I have an absolute obsession with thrifting and estate sales and everything ‘reloved,’ including rescue animals,” she said. “Rehomeology is an outlet for me to be able to indulge in my passion of finding amazing things in the ‘wild’ and bringing them to people who ... don't have the time or the desire to relentlessly traverse the thrift circuit.
“The back seat of my car is a packed full of ‘finds’ at the end of a successful foraging weekend.”
Opening the store a few years ago was a natural fit for Connolly.
“I have always loved retail,” she said. “I worked in retail for my first job as a teenager. After college at the University of Iowa and several office jobs, I took a leap of faith and opened and operated a retail store in Okoboji, Iowa, for several years before moving back to the Iowa City area for my husband’s job with family in tow.”
Love of retail
Rehomeology is now allowing Connolly to pass along her love of retail.
“I wanted something that my daughter and I could have fun doing together while teaching her some customer service, marketing and professional skills in the process,” Connolly said. “It has been wonderful to watch her gain skills and grow to appreciate all of the little ins and outs of the retail world.”
Connolly also offers a ReScue+ReHome=ReLove program, which she funds with the money she makes from consignment items.
“Once the balance hits $500, I donate it to a local animal rescue organization,” Connolly said. “It is a passion of mine, and this is the way that I can contribute and support these amazing organizations.”
Know a business that should be considered for a “My Biz” feature? Let us know by emailing mary.sharp@thegazette.com.
Rehomeology
Proprietor: Jacqueline Connolly
Address: 201 Greenfield Dr., Unit D, Tiffin
Website: rehomeology.com
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