Local Woman Wagers on Cranbury Locale for Success

She’s always been what one might call a risk-taker, a title that destiny deals a raw hand to, more often than not.

But aside from her unwavering luck, what separates Debbie Eisenbrey from much of her fellow die-rolling crowd are two simple truths: hard work and heart.

“Anything is achievable if you put your heart and soul into it,” she said.

Eisenbrey’s latest gamble is on a quaint Main Street storefront, where Twice is Nice Consignment Shoppe has become a building and branding project for a woman who’s admittedly living on the edge.

“This store is the biggest chance of my life,” she said. “But I love it here and something just feels right.”

This women’s consignment, a used clothing and accessory store, may seem uncharacteristic for the high-rim real estate and the highly-educated resident that make up Cranbury’s demographics.

But that’s exactly why Eisenbrey set up shop here in the first place, strategically targeting Cranbury closets for upscale goods and passing them along to her out-of-town customers on a budget, she explained.

“This is where all the high-end items are,” she said of Cranbury. “Once people realize the bargains that they’re getting here, then the consignment part of it all really starts to work out well.”

The people she refered to are catching on, with droves of patrons from outlier communities – as far away as Millstone – making routine treks to the township’s retail newcomer since the store first opened its doors April 1.

While some come to sort through the modern-to-vintage overflow of jewelry, others are eying designer handbag labels that span Juicy Couture to Coach. Most, however, are scouring a cache of dresses, shoes and belts that aim to impress, both in volume and quality, Eisenbrey said.

Overlooking the status quo, Eisenbrey, a long-time Cranbury resident, was a consignment queen long before she decided to open up her shop. She had all but unknowingly done her own market research for years, scavenging through the racks of area stores that now qualify as her competitors. 

“I love a good treasure hunt, and you really do find such unique items,” she said. 

Seeing the vacant retail space on the township’s busiest corridor and with a right-hand woman for a mother, Eisenbrey figured the odds might be in her favor.

Decades removed from this most recent chance business venture, Eisenbrey’s first real roll of the dice came with a post-high school marriage. At 18 years of age, her ever-evolving profile became that of a young mother and housewife.

“There was a lot of cleaning involved,” she recalled. “But it fit me and I took some college courses – mostly in business and management classes. I learned a lot about accounting records and taxes.”

Her first job, working with an East Brunswick bicycle helmet company, was marked with success and a supervisory role early on. Eventually, Eisenbrey moved on to an area transportation company, where she quickly climbed the ranks to become an office manager.

“I’m very level-headed and analytical,” she said. “If you are moldable, if you can deal with people and be somewhat decisive that makes for a good manager.”

Shortly thereafter, a budding real estate industry caught her eye and Eisenbrey had found a new high-stakes game to throw her chips into, one that had a more immediate pay-off.

“The market was awesome,” she said. “I broke $2 million in my first year, which is practically unheard of.”

But as most know or learned first-hand, the bottom fell out of the industry. Accordingly, Eisenbrey adjusted her career into more of a hobby; one that she continues to this day at the Jamesburg Century 21 office on West Railroad Avenue.

Even with the challenges ahead and behind her, Eisenbrey is wagering that with a little time Twice is Nice will begin to pay-off in dividends – for her, the customers and the consigners.

For more information on Twice is Nice, drop by its 60 N. Main Street location, call 609-395-0545 or visit www.consignattwiceisnice.com.