Eclectic Consignment Boutique Brings A Little Flavor to LFP Town Center.

In a city known for its lush greenery and rural settings one might overlook Two Trading Tigers, a high-end consignment store tucked in the corner of Lake Forest Park town center, next door to the new Ross store.    

In a mall that really has never lived up to its potential Cherie Lee and Marlee Mckibbin, who owned a retail store for 15 years, have worked hard to add a little eclectic flavor to the sleepy atmosphere of the mall.

Mckibbin jokes about making the move to co-owning a consignment shop: “I retired and got bored. We don’t make a lot of money so I’m volunteering.” 

The store has become more of a fun project then a moneymaking endeavor. Before the store opened Lee worked as an interior designer and in retail for many years. She made the switch to lessen her stress load. Mckibbin also wanted something a little less stressful and all consuming. As they reached into their retirement years they were looking to slow their lives down.

But that certainly didn’t diminish the obvious time and attention the two women dedicated to their ‘project’

When first entering the store customers are greeted by a Beacon Hill floral love seat and three Italian antique wooden chairs, all in great condition. Walk a little further and one finds a hand carved Asian antique wooden cabinet and other well maintained antiques.   

If furniture isn’t what a customer is looking for she will be pleasantly surprised by the broad clothing selection, sizing from women’s extra small to 2X. There are all different styles, ranging from a beautiful silk dress to trendy T-shirts and leggings.  Not to mention all the shoes, dishware and many other home décor goods.

Since Two Trading Tigers is a consignment store the products are changing often as customers come in with various items that they no longer need or can find room for in their homes. 

Lee explains how their consignment store works, a customer make an appointment and is allowed 15 items at a time.

“The clothing has to be in season and just a few years old, cleaned and pressed," she said.

The store keeps the items for 60 days and the consigner receives 40% once their item sells. 

There are many items that people bring in that Lee and Mckibbin have to reject because of the high quality standard of the store. Fortunately, they have loyal customers who keep bringing in their fine goods.

One regular customer smiles and holds up her $20 bill after purchasing a few items.  She jokes that she spends $1 and gets $20 back.

After struggling to make a profit for the six years they have occupied their location both women admit that it’s the customers that keep them going. The location hasn’t been good for them. The different businesses in the mall are so varied and there is a high turnover rate.

“The shopping center is in a fabulous location but it has never made it,” Mckibbin admits. She feels there really isn’t a central theme or cohesiveness that makes the mall interesting and attractive to customers. 

Mckibbin and Lee hope that the new Ross store moving in next door will bring more traffic to their eclectic shop.  With that traffic more people will discover the originality that these women proudly admit makes their boutique special.