Edmond-based family-friendly consignment shop focuses on furniture

Journal Record, The (Oklahoma City), Feb 17, 2005 by Teresa Wood

The bonds of friendship and motherhood helped to forge the new business, Too Good To Be Through, an upscale consignment shop in downtown Edmond.

Last summer, longtime friends Brooke Greenway and Sarah Bailey were searching for a business idea.

We were brainstorming about businesses which would help provide an income to our families but with the goal that we could be with our children, said Bailey.

The home-based businesses were just not panning out, said Greenway, a stay-at-home mom.

When a relative suggested the idea of an upscale consignment shop, the concept took on a life of its own.

It's funny, said Greenway. Everything all came together within two weeks' time.

God smoothed our path and made it easy to start up, agreed Bailey, who had previously worked as a secretary at Memorial Road Church of Christ.

Too Good To Be Through, 14 S. Broadway in Edmond, carries bedroom sets, living room furniture, home decor and lamps.

Consignors are people who tend to re-decorate their homes on a frequent basis, said Greenway. Most consigned items are of a higher- quality construction with more elegant upholstered fabric than similar shops of its kind, said Greenway.

As for the variety of items, the business is willing to consign just about any home furnishing with only a few exceptions. The store will not carry linens or baby cribs, said Bailey.

The business strives to fill a niche by offering better furniture, said Greenway. Although most of the current consignments are not considered antiques, they are not contemporary, either. Most items date prior to 2000, she said.

Since opening on Feb. 1, the store has been doing a brisk business with only word-of-mouth advertising. Yet with 2,400 square feet, the store is comfortably filled with fine furniture.

The worst-case scenario is that we would have to open a second location, said Bailey.

The consignment aspect of the business gives the seller the option to price the item or to allow the shop to research the market value and determine the price.

Consignments are listed for 90 days. Items are listed at full price for the first 30 days of sale with the price reduced 25 percent each 30 days after that. If the item is not sold by the end of the contract period, the owner may choose to reclaim it or donate it to Christian services, the Salvation Army or any charity.

One of the most successful features of the shop is the children's area where little ones can play, nap and be close to mom. Bailey's daughter, 18-month-old daughter Brenna, and Greenway's children, Jonathan and Abbey, ages 3 years and 18 months respectively, are frequent visitors to the play area as are the children of customers.

Although establishing the business has been fairly easy, Bailey said it did have some frightening moments.

Making that year commitment was frightening at first, said Bailey, who admits she has drawn a lot of strength from her business partner.

Their husbands, Josh Bailey and Roy Greenway, and the community of Edmond have all been supportive in the success of the business.

There have been no bad surprises, she said. I am surprised and impressed by the consignors and our patrons, and the support of the community. Store hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday.

Teresa Wood is a Midwest City free-lance writer.