My Biz: Consignment shop works to stay trendy

CEDAR RAPIDS - Kathy Kamberling and Dayna Harrington have seen a lot of fashion trends come and go over the last 20 years.

'Clothing now is not so loud,” said Harrington, who owns Elegant Repeats and Elegant Bridal with business partner Kamberling. 'It's funny to think back on what we accepted for consignment in the ‘90s. And the wedding gowns have definitely changed.”

The boutique offers both upscale women's consignment fashions and accessories and operates as a full-scale bridal shop.

Kamberling started the business nearly 23 years ago after writing up a business plan for an upscale consignment shop while in school at Mount Mercy. Harrington joined as her business partner three years later.

'We have women's and juniors fashions and accessories and even a bit of home décor,” Harrington said. 'We really have such fabulous every day wear. We often hear from people when they walk in that you can't tell it's a consignment store.”

Harrington said the store works to stay organized and to keep displays current and trendy.

'We want this to feel like any other boutique,” she said. 'We offer high quality at lower prices.”

At the back of the 8,000-square-foot store is space dedicated to Elegant Bridal and Formal Ware. 'Our bridal and formal wear has really taken off,” Harrington said, noting that the store sold a bit of bridal when it first opened.

But now it sells new and pre-owned wedding gowns as well as bridesmaid and flower girl dresses. 'We even offer tuxedo rentals,” Harrington said.

Harrington said she and Kamberling are a great fit as business partners. 'She takes care of a lot of our book work and helps on the floor. I do a lot of the day-to-day activities,” she said.

The day-to-day activities include everything from buying accessories, changing displays, keeping up with social media and working with customers.

Harrington said the shop sees many regular shoppers and consignors. 'They come in and we just chit chat,” she said. 'Some of our customers have been with us since day one.”

The store originally opened on Mount Vernon Road before moving to a space on Second Avenue on the edge of downtown Cedar Rapids. Harrington said while their current location - just off First Avenue near Collins Road - can be a bit hidden, it has been a great space for the business to bloom.

'We'll be here three years in March,” she said. 'And we are staying put. The third time was the charm on our location. We want to keep growing and we really hope more and more people shop consignment.”

' Know a manager or company in business for more than a year that would be ideal for 'My Biz”? Contact Chelsea Keenan at chelsea.keenan@thegazette.com.

At a glance

' Name: Dayna Harrington and Kathy Kamberling

' Title: Owners

' Company: Elegant Repeats and Elegant Bridal & Formal Wear

' Address: 4700 Tama St., Suite 2000, Cedar Rapids

' Phone: (319) 365-1070

' Website: www.elegantrepeats.com