Shop Offers 'Alternative' to Retail Prices

Following in her mother’s footsteps, Leslie Calo, has been running a successful consignment shop for 23 years.

The Alternative, located at the corner of Highland and Route 202/206 in Bridgewater, offers shoppers just that—an alternative—to purchasing designer and top name women’s and children’s clothing at retail prices.

Calo, a lifelong Bridgewater resident, grew up taking notes from her mother’s successful consignment business, based in Pluckemin for 16 years, called The Attic Trunk. When her mother moved to the Jersey shore, Calo wanted to start fresh with a new name for her business.

So Calo first opened The Alternative in Martinsville, and then chose to purchase a 1,400-square-foot ranch-style building for her business on Highland Avenue.

Juggling a career and family life, Calo is the mother of four teenagers, one in college and three in high school. But, while taking care of her family, she said she also enjoys helping people sell their treasures and find new ones.

The Alternative specializes in high quality women’s and children’s clothing and household goods.

Now after almost a quarter of a decade, Calo’s business is thriving—especially at a time when almost everyone is more cost-conscious than ever.

“Some of my customers visit at least twice each week,” she said. “They know that I get new merchandise everyday.”

“I carry a lot of designer jeans and handbags, sportswear and dresses," she added. "Because wearing suits to work is not that popular anymore, there are not a lot of suits coming in."

Calo said all of the clothing is in excellent condition and in style. The most popular sizes she carries are women’s sizes six, eight and 10.

The Alternative also carries children’s clothing and primarily higher-end brands such as Abercrombie and Fitch, Hollister, Macy’s and Guess.

“We generally don’t carry brands like Walmart or Old Navy because if shoppers are looking for those brands, they are more likely to go right to the source,” Calo said.

Calo said that because she is so selective about what she sells, she is able to display clothing and household items in an inviting way. All items are easily accessible, she said, and her focus is on quality, rather than volume.

In addition to clothing, Calo said she also carries paintings, mirrors, lamps, high quality bedding, end tables, chairs and smaller pieces of furniture.

The shop is open from Tuesday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., and on Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Unlike many consignment shops, one does not need to make an appointment to drop off clothing and household items to sell. Calo said she is happy to meet with anyone between the hours of 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.

But, Calo said, she does urge first-time sellers to make a call first to find out how the process works.

If clothing is accepted, Calo said, she will split the profit with the seller on a 50/50 basis. For higher-priced items like jewelry and fur coats, she will negotiate a buyer/seller agreement based on the item.

Calo also said that nothing goes to waste in her shop. For customers who do not sell their items after two months, they can choose to donate suitable clothing and other items to the Raritan Senior Center every Tuesday, coordinated through Linda Augustine.

For more information about The Alternative, call 908-722-4407.