[ Consignment store has ribbon-cutting ]

Topeka Capital-Journal, The, Jun 17, 2004 by Michael Hooper Capital-Journal

Consignment store has ribbon-cutting

Jaye and Kevin Parkerson overcame several challenges, including a broken foot, during their first year as owners and operators of a consignment shop.

On Wednesday, they celebrated with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at Signature Consignments, 2515 S.W. 6th. Some ambassadors of the Greater Topeka Chamber of Commerce wore vintage hats as they toasted with champagne, and Mayor James McClinton congratulated the Parkersons on their investment in Topeka.

Customer traffic at Signature Consignments died last year during reconstruction of S.W. 6th Street and installation of sewers in front of nearby Hummer Sports Park.

"For the first four months of business, the only way to get here was by helicopter drop," said Jaye Parkerson, who shattered her heel in March when she fell from a ladder while painting the back wall of the store. She had to use a wheelchair for three months.

She was supposed to be in a wheelchair longer, but she received a leg brace and forced herself to start standing again two weeks ago. She had her eye on the ribbon-cutting celebration.

Jaye Parkerson, 44, a native of Hartford, Conn., who moved to Topeka as a teenager, was volunteer coordinator for Meals on Wheels before buying the store from Sara Copp in May 2003.

She had been a loyal customer of Sara's Bargain Spot. "This place helped me maintain the fashions I wanted to wear as a working woman," Jaye said.

Signature Consignments includes Billie Dupree jewelry, used clothing for kids and adults, books, vintage clothing, hats and second-hand wedding dresses. One $2,000 designer wedding dress sells for $300.

"We make some girls' dreams come true," she said. "One customer of mine did her whole wedding in vintage clothing from this store."

The Parkersons hired Chrystal Castillo to help run the store.