Duo Open 'Chic' Consignment Shop to Benefit Needy Women

A busy mother of four, Dena Ham had never considered opening her own business.

However, that all changed on a visit to a friend in Birmingham, Ala.

"She took me to this absolutely gorgeous consignment boutique," said Ham. "It just hit me because it was so beautiful. I walked in it and it just resonated with me."

Ham had purchased items from consignment shops before, but it never occurred to her to open one until she visited the Birmingham shop.

"It was as if God was speaking to me," said Ham. "I always had a desire to do something to help women, and I firmly believed this was a way I could do it."

She contacted Stacy Ulrey Regan, a friend she met while both served on the Symmes Elementary School PTA.

"I just had the feeling I had to call Stacy," said Ham. "There was just an overwhelming need to ask her to be part of it. From the moment God put it on my heart, he put Stacy's name right there."

For Regan, a full-time accountant, operating a consignment shop was the last thing on her mind.

"I'd shopped consignment before but had no desire to open a shop," said Regan. "But when Dena called, it definitely piqued my interest."

A board member at The Spring of Tampa, a shelter for abused and battered women, she liked the idea of running a business that would benefit women.

"I liked the aspect of giving back to the community and being an advocate for women," said Regan.

And, as a certified public accountant, she was confident a consignment shop would do well in this economy.

"Even in these bad economic times, women still want to dress nice," said Regan. "Plus, people are trying to find ways to make a little extra money, and consigning clothes is one way."

She promptly agreed to join Ham in her venture and the result is Agape Chic Consignment Boutique, located at 151 E. Bloomingdale Ave., in Bloomingdale Plaza.

They chose the name "Agape," a Greek word for brotherly love, because both are Christians and active members of The Crossing church.

"It's been wonderful," said Ham. "In the two weeks we've been open, it's amazing how many Christian women have walked into the shop. One of our purposes for being here is to uplift and support women. We've already had quite a few come here numerous times because our atmosphere is so friendly and welcoming."

The shop, formerly a tanning salon, has been completely refurbished, painted and decorated by Regan and Ham to resemble an upscale boutique. Throughout the shop are designer and quality clothing, shoes and accessories that have been artfully arranged on shelving, racks and mannequins.

The women have collected an array of clothing, sizes 2 to 20, and accessories featuring high-end major labels, including a Louis Vuitton purse and a Coach diaper bag as well as clothing by Ralph Lauren and Christian Dior.

"We definitely want the high-end items but we'll also take nice, like-new items from JC Penney and Kohl's," said Ham. "We want to be able to offer a variety of prices. A lot of items are priced at $5."

The women spent three months renovating the storefront, which had been sitting empty for five years.

"It's been a lot of work but very gratifying," said Ham. "Our husbands did the buildout and we did all the painting and put the floor down."

"This is an awesome spot," said Regan. "We're so thrilled to be next to Recipe Box. We get a lot of traffic from women who peek in after eating there."

Gail Pergament is one of the customers who wandered in after dining at the Recipe Box.

"I think I came in the first day they were open," she said. "I couldn't believe this was a consignment shop. I've been back three or four times since and am consigning clothing here."

Agape Chic operates like a traditional consignment shop. Residents can bring in items to sell. If they don't sell, sellers can retrieve their items or donate them to Agape Chic, which will distribute them to women's charities.

Sellers can bring in up to 25 items a month, no appointment necessary.

"We wanted a place that would encourage and empower women," said Regan. "We also want to assist other women-owned businesses."

"This definitely is a calling for us," said Ham. "We're just on a path, seeing where God leads us. And, so far, it's been great."

Agape Chic is open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

On Saturday, Feb. 4, the shop will host a grand opening including a Greater Brandon Chamber of Commerce ribbon-cutting at 10 a.m. There will be a representative from Mary Kay providing free facials, a masseuse giving neck massages and customers will get 10 percent or more off purchases that day.

For more information, visit the shop's website or call 813-571-7870.