The Ground Floor: Marion consignment shop provides the other event accoutrements

MARION - Michelle Fulmer's new Marion business was inspired by what she saw while working in her family's tent rental business over the past 20 years.

Fulmer's work at New Century Tents involved setting up and taking down tents, tables and chairs for weddings, parties and other events.

'Afterward, people had decorations, centerpieces and all this other stuff they didn't need anymore and didn't know what to do with,” she said.

Her idea was to open a consignment store to provide an outlet for those items.

'People could get some money back by selling things they no longer need to brides and party planners who are trying to keep their events affordable,” she explained.

Once Fulmer had the idea, it took her nearly two years to find the right location.

'I wanted to be in Marion,” she said. 'I just love the community focus here and how everyone is so connected.”

In March, she found a commercial space in a strip mall on Grand Avenue that met her two main criteria - proximity to New Century Tents' tent storage facility and plenty of parking for trucks and trailers coming in to drop off or pick up items.

Fulmer opened New Century Event Rental & Consignment on April 10.

She said she was able to open so quickly because even as she was searching for the right location for the store, she was building inventory. By the time the space was move-in ready, she had a garage full of party décor and other items that she found at garage sales and through classified ads.

'I didn't want to start with bare shelves,” she said.

She also had a large stock of brand-new formalwear that she purchased from a Missouri dress shop that was going out of business.

Moving forward, the store will operate on a consignment basis only. Fulmer right now has 15 to 20 consignors and is seeking more.

'I'm looking for anything and everything used for parties,” she said. 'I'll take things like centerpieces, tablecloths, glassware, wedding dresses and formal dresses and shoes.”

Her current needs include plus-size dresses and large groupings of centerpieces.

Fulmer said that after working in the tent rental business for so long, her biggest challenge with the new business has been getting used to sitting inside all day at the store.

The store is open Mondays through Fridays from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturdays.

AT A GLANCE

Owner: Michelle Fulmer

Business: New Century Event Rental & Consignment

Address: 1199 Grand Ave., Marion

Telephone: (319) 362-8227

Facebook: Facebook.com/New-Century-Event-Rental-Consignment-261648153991

l Know a small business in operation for less than a year that would be an ideal 'Ground Floor”? Contact michaelchevy.castranova@thegazette.com