Downtown Resale Shop Gives Back

The start-up of Laura Flores and Barb Kurczodyna’s downtown Libertyville resale shop was not easy.  Now the two owners of , which opened in January of 2010, are able to explain how they were given so much and why they give back.

“Nobody knows the story behind this store,” Flores says. “But we started from scratch, with no money from loans or banks. We started thanks to friends and family, but especially friends.”

The pair were given advice and clothing from friends who also own consignment shops, decorations for their grand opening were courtesy of and the wine from local store owners.

“It’s our time to give back,” says Flores.

She and Kurczodyna met as sales associates at a previous resale shop in the same location. When the two opened Full Disclothesure, they were searching for a non-profit to receive donations of unsold items as well as profits from store fundraisers.

Flores says one of the consignors she knew had a daughter who was paralyzed and would carry her around everywhere. The women found assistance through Misericordia Heart of Mercy, a non-profit that supports people with developmental disabilities, and Flores knew she wanted to help.

Full Disclothesure donates unsold items as well as money to the non-profit's resale shop, Twice Blessed Thrift Store.

Consignors' contracts with Full Disclothesure last for two months at which time the consignor has the option to take their unsold items back or donate them. The consignor also receives the tax credit.

“I would say 80 percent donate,” says Kurczodyna. “If it’s a fur or something like that, somebody might want it back, but for the most part everybody tends to donate.”

For Full Disclothesure’s grand opening in April 2010, the store donated 10 percent of their sales to Misericordia. Flores and Kurczodyna, both mothers themselves,  hope to plan more fundraisers for the organization as their business develops.

“You feel a little more connected knowing someone that has been treated there, how well they were treated, how they influenced another life, and how needy they are as far as funds to make it available for others that are out there,” says Kurczodyna.

They say that their first year of business has been successful which they attribute both to the community and to their store’s unique offering.

“We’re very fussy about what we take,” Flores says. “We don’t want to take stuff that you can find at the mall.”

“We actually get a lot of people that have been to the mall and they’re discouraged,” says Kurczodyna. “They come here because it’s different. They’re not watching themselves walk down the hallway with everyone in the same outfit.”

Since resale is essentially recycling, they say they’re trying to stay a “green” business by going paperless. When they issue statements to their consignors, who receive 40 percent of the sale, they send it out via email.

Helping others is a common theme in many of the policies and ideas that the store has introduced throughout the first year. Full Disclothesure offers a discount to women in the military returning to work, and allow consignors to bring in their items at anytime during business hours, instead of making an appointment.

“If we help the community, then they will come and support you,” says Flores. “It’s not about us, it’s about all of us. We’re very supported by the community and people here. It’s an amazing experience for us to learn from everyone.”