By Ashley Daniels<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Sure, there\u2019s Bloomingdale\u2019s in The Big Apple, but then there\u2019s Bloomingail\u2019s Consignment here in Little River that\u2019s made quite a name for itself in the retail industry over the last 27 years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Owner Gail Roberson says she first fell in love with the idea for her own store while working part-time on Saturdays at a consignment shop that used to be in North Myrtle Beach. At the time, she was also working full-time as a secretary for an insurance company.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI loved it so much that I thought, \u2018I think I might be able to do this,\u2019 so I did,\u201d says Roberson. \u201cMy main reason for this shop goes back to my younger days when I was divorced and had three children and no child support. I bought my clothes at yard sales if I had a dollar left over from paying the bills. But, as my life got better, I continued to be a thrift shopper. It just stuck with me. And, when I decided to open my own business, I knew there are a lot of women, especially older women, who live on social security, and oftentimes they’re taking care of their grandchildren, and they don\u2019t have a lot left over to spend on themselves. So, I always wanted a really nice place to shop where every woman could have nice things.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Roberson prides herself on offering a chic boutique ambience for clientele. But Bloomingail\u2019s is beneficial not only for buyers but also for consigners. She says that each time the shop moved (seven times) over the years, the database of consigners has grown exponentially, starting from five to more than 5,000 today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI just love doing this!\u201d she says. \u201cI have a great staff.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Here is how Bloomingail\u2019s consignment system works:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe next appointment available is sometime in August,\u201d says Roberson. \u201cWe like to accept clothing that is in style, not one of those Sunday school dresses you wore in the 11th grade. \u2026 There are different kinds of women that shop here, so I try to have merchandise that fits all styles of women.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Merchandising is Roberson\u2019s favorite thing about her job. In addition to clothing that she prices at mostly under $10 and home d\u00e9cor items, Bloomingail\u2019s also sells furniture pieces and costume jewelry for under $15.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI like it when I put something up on a mannequin and turn around and somebody bought it,\u201d she says with a laugh, \u201cso I must be doing a good job. The store floor changes almost every day because new items are coming in constantly.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
At age 84, Roberson has no plans of slowing down at Bloomingail\u2019s.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cPeople ask me all the time, \u2018When are you going to retire?\u2019 she says. \u201cAnd I say, \u2018Well, what am I going to do? I\u2019m not going to clean my house!\u2019 I\u2019d be in here everyday shopping, so I might as well work while I shop!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n