HOWELL – Brandi Wimmer says she has a passion for fashion, interior design and finding a good bargain.
Now Wimmer’s Women’s Clothing, Furnishings and Home Decor Outlet Store 120 N. Michigan Ave. She is preparing to launch Garment District Resale, hoping to use her passion to help others find the perfect style or design aesthetic. At reasonable prices.
“I love hitting thrift stores. I love a good bargain, and I feel like I’m a very small part of being conscious by repurposing beautiful clothes,” said Wimmer, of Marion.
“The amount of waste that goes into clothes is shocking,” she said. “We can still look good with something gently used, or sometimes still with a tag.”
Some people know Wimmer as Livingston Antique Dealer in Howell Township. She said she worked there on and off for years and rented space there to sell furniture and clothing.
She also worked as a social worker for Love in the Name of Christ, Inc. in the Greater Livingston area, where she worked in partnership with basic needs such as food, shelter, clothing, transportation and financial management. Various churches and other organizations.
She said she dreamed of opening her own store, and everything came together quickly after the downtown Hull location was found.
“I’ve talked to my husband about it. Time is running out. It’s now or never,” said Wimmer, 52.
A few weeks ago she got the keys to the storefront. By Friday, she was moving around with clothes, some furniture and other items. She said she was “stockpiling” items she found at estate sales and through friends to create enough inventory to start the store.
“I’m accepting items for spring,” she said. “(Women’s clothing) 2 years old or younger, in good condition, smoke free and clean. I take clothing, shoes, handbags, jewelry, furniture and home decor.”
She hopes to have it open by March.
She said she wants to create a social and fun atmosphere in the store.
“I don’t want it to be a crowded store. There will be music and I want to serve coffee,” she said.
Although she accepts designer goods, she wants her store to be affordable.
“I want it to be very affordable for everyone’s pocketbook,” she said. “In the commodity (business), the goal is typically one-third of the retail (price).”
Howell said she thought it would be a great location for her store.
“Howell is turning into a shopping destination, and more in the last few years,” she said.
She said she was excited to see what the consignors were bringing.
“We’ll see what comes up. Will it be more standard items or will they bring some wine?” She said.
Contact Livingston Daily reporter Jennifer Eberbach at jeberbach@livingstondaily.com.