Michelle Stover: A "Perfect Job" In a Township She Loves

Her name is Michelle Stover, East Orange resident, wife and a mother of two children, Weequahic High School of Newark graduate, Essex County College attendee, and owner of Bloomfield’s New 2 You LLC Women's Consignment, which opened in March.

“I absolutely love fashion!! This is my passion. It's fun! This is the perfect job and it never feels like work. I thought this was the perfect time for me to follow my passion and take a chance. I had been planning for two years before I finally said ‘just do it!’ ” 

And when it came time to open her store, Stover didn’t have to look far. 

“I love the Bloomfield area! I dine in this area, take my children to the park, and we get ice cream at Rita’s frequently. I did so much research before I decided where to open the store. Bloomfield had no consignment shops and neither did Glen Ridge, so I decided to open here.”

And Bloomfield and the surrounding towns love her store. “So far the store has been well received by everyone,” said Stover. “They are glad we are here and think it is great for the neighborhood. We have more than 150 people so far and it has only been five months. I am excited about that number, know we are going to continue to grow and do well. This is a family business and I am grateful to have the support of my family and friends.”

The store’s name? “It came from the idea of the shop,” she explains. “The items that the customers buy are ‘new to them’ even though it came from someone else's closet.”

New 2 You is a ladies designer consignment shop that caters to the "fashionista on a budget" -- the woman who loves designer items but doesn't want to pay retail prices for them. The shop sells merchandise at a 30% to 50% discount off the retail price, and carries designer items such as Louis Vuitton, Gucci, BCBG, Theory, and Christian Lounging. The prices vary in the store. “You can find a DKNY top for $8 or a pair of Prada shoes for $75,” says Stover. “We carry formal gowns, suits, dresses, designer jeans, and we even have a wedding dress. We have all sizes from size 0 to 26. There is something in everyone's price range.” Stover and New 2 You LLC Women's Consignment also offer ladies the chance to resell their items they no longer use or need. “They can bring their gently used designer clothing, shoes, or handbags in dry cleaned and on hangers for consignment,” she explains. “The items must be in great condition. They cannot be stained or torn. We consign for 90 days with items being marked down every 30 days if they don't sell. At the end of the consignment period they can come back and pick them up or have them donated. We donate the items to the Big Brothers Big Sisters Agencies.”

Stover is also looking for a local charity to donate to as well. "In the future I hope to use the store to do as much charity work as I can do. I would love to partner with local organizations to host events and donate portions of the sales. I am looking forward to doing it!”

New 2 You LLC Women's Consignment, 416 Broad St., Bloomfield (973) 566-0343.