Time and Again Consignment Shop Fills a Niche

It's that time of the year again when closets overflow with holiday excess. Time and Again, a high-end consignment shop at 101 Manorhaven Blvd., can help to clear clutter and offers monetary rewards for seasonal, new or "lovingly used" items. 

It works like this: bring in at least 10 items and once an item is sold, you receive 40 percent of the sales price in cash or 50 percent of the sales price in store credit for that item. As your other items fly off the shelves, you can come into the store anytime to pick up some or all of your cash and/or store credit.

Cecilia "Cece" Renga, the store's owner and proprietor for more than 15 years,  offers an eclectic selection of clothing, jewelry and accessories for virtually everyone – men, women and children – in all sizes.

Although the store is crowded, browsing is encouraged. And it's not unusual to find a pair of Ferragamos tucked in a corner. "Shopping at Time and Again is like a treasure hunt because you never know what may be found," shopper Mariana Ristic said.

Several times a year the store dramatically marks down prices to make room for new merchandise. Special seasonal and holiday sales also lure shoppers to the store.

Renga said the most popular items during the winter months are coats — including full-length furs — jackets and sweaters. She added that there's usually a large selection of women's suits and formal wear as well as high-end shoes, books and home fashions. "Men's jeans are always in high demand," she said.

Renga possesses a keen eye for displaying merchandise to its best advantage and offers quick and friendly advice to customers. Her early training as a social worker continues to influence her organizational philisophy. If an item isn't sold within one season, or approximately five months, it becomes the property of Time and Again and is then donated to charity. Descriptions of items too large to display are placed on a community bulletin board in the back of the store. The store also holds a free children's book exchange and Renga said she will often make special arrangements to mail money earned to those who move out of state.

The concepts of "reuse, renew and recycle" are reinforced through this casual, profitable and entertaining business. Time and Again adopted this environmentally friendly concept years before, so to speak, green became the new black.

Renga said she welcomes everyone in the community to check out the shop, especially those who appreciate a bargain. She encourages all to "visit and show you care by recycling your share."