baltimore county - Mason Dixon Arrive Magazine

local business
By Vicki Franz
Aimee Smith, the solo owner of 5 Wacky Women, is
always asked about the clever name of her shop. Her
answer is simple: “It’s a name based on friendship.” For
her customers, it’s a name that conjures giggles as they
find that the merchandise carried in the shop is also
inspired by the name.
How long have you owned the shop?
We’re having our 5th Anniversary! We opened in April
2006 in a location just a mile north of our current location.
We moved to Scott Adams Shopping Center two
years ago, which provides easy parking and accessibility.
How would you describe your unique approach
to the shop?
We have created a gathering place for women. We love
to hear people laughing as they wander through the various
vignettes in the store. Our merchandise is carefully
selected, always unique, with an eye for fun, functional
items with personality.
You mention vignettes, what types of things will
people find here?
We carry Trollbeads, which continue to be extremely
popular with women and an easy gift for men to select
from as there are so many beads that reflect hobbies,
personality and life. We have women’s fashion, like handbags,
sweaters and shoes, a baby/children’s section, teens,
kitchen, hostess gifts and of course, lots and lots of fun
jewelry and accessories.
Where do you find your “wacky” inspired gifts?
I travel to Atlanta and Chicago looking for unusual
items that have a “WOW” or “fun” factor. I love the hunt
for something new and different that will fit into our
theme. But I also have some fantastic mainstream lines,
like Trollbeads, Switch Flops and Scout bags; these are
just perfect for our customer.
What are your most recent additions?
Two new shoe lines, one called Monkey Toes, hand
painted children’s sneakers, and OKA b, a sandal that
incorporates reflexology with fashion. Both are so cute.
And, we have two really unique candle lines. One is a
build-your-own candle, like sand art. Our newest addition
is an aromatherapy soy candle line, Charmbiance. Each
jar is hand painted with a saying perfect for gift giving,
and the lid is decorated with charms and beads. They are
really fun.
How do you keep customers coming back?
We are constantly refreshing the store and our merchandise.
There is always something new, from day to day.
We also have a Rewards Program that is tracked through
our register and provides discounts based on a customer’s
purchases.
Tell us about how you connect to the community?
We work with non-profits and schools allowing them
to host an in-store event, after hours. They invite the people,
generate the excitement and attendance, and 5 Wacky
Women donates 20 percent back to the non-profit on all
purchases during the event. This is a significant way for
us to contribute to the community as we sometimes host
two or three in a month.
You describe the store as a “gathering place for
women.” How do you accomplish that?
Women need a place to relax and disconnect from
daily stresses. We talk to our customers ... we know them.
There is no pressure to buy anything. We just want them
to have a better day for having come into our store.
5 Wacky Women is located at 10255 York Road in
Cockeysville and is open every day. To schedule an in-store
event, call 410-683-8333. To find out more, visit
5wackywomen.com.
By Vicki Franz
T
The Clearing House is Baltimore’s
original consignment gallery, started
30 years ago by Jan Wittenbach.
Daughters Lisa Hudson and Cara
Derr worked during summers and
weekends; it’s always been a part of
their life. They didn’t plan to take
over their mother’s business. Hudson
spent many years as a pre-school
special education teacher; Derr was a
prosecuting attorney. But, life takes its
twists and turns and they bought the
business seven years ago. Now, they
alternate days in the shop, allowing
the other to make house calls on large
estates, run kids and busy houses of
their own.
You’ve been involved with
this business for so long, what
excites you?
Every day is different. You just
never know what’s going to be in
the next box, or when you’ll have an
“Antiques Road Show” moment with a
client. I’ve learned to never judge a box
by its owner! Often they don’t know
what an item is worth … it may just
have sentimental value or a value that
could be life-changing.
How has consigning changed
over the past few years?
We’re seeing more people downsizing
due to lifestyle changes, illness,
foreclosure or estate sales. Some are
selling items to generate necessary
income. But, people have always
moved, and as a result, need to sell or
buy to furnish a new space. We have
always been the affordable option to
buying new. Having said that, we have
a brand new red sofa with tags still on
it! It was ordered with the end piece
on the wrong end. There is absolutely
nothing wrong with it; it’s a great
value.
CLEARING
HOUSE LTD.
The Auction Alternative
Owners and sisters, Cara Derr, left, with
Lisa Hudson.
How do you decide how to
price an item?
When something is brand new,
we generally start at 50 percent below
retail. The pricing has to be realistic,
priced to move. We want it to create a
sense of urgency, to sell it quickly for
the highest price. People who wait for
a mark down are often disappointed
that it’s gone when they come back.
I certainly know that feeling!
I’ve been on both sides of the
transaction – as a seller and a
buyer. Your system really seems
to work! I love getting that
check in the mail! Have you
ever had a fight in the store?
Once we had an antique hutch
that three people wanted … one was
on the phone, one was at the door and
one was in the store. We cater to who
is in the store. It’s not unusual to sell
right off the delivery truck!
Do you accept all items?
We have a “look” that people
have come to expect … we tend
toward “traditional.” The National
Association of Resale advises that if
you can’t sell it with confidence, don’t
take it. Our space is limited, so we
accept items we feel confident we can
sell, especially original artwork, estate
jewelry, popular or seasonal décor.
For instance, we would take outdoor
furniture now.
Aren’t some items hard to
price?
Antiques require a learning curve,
which is part of the fun. It’s challenging
to research and learn. It is
certainly easier today using the web,
and we have a variety of books listing
values.
What are a few most memorable
sales?
We once had diamond stud earrings
that sold for $10,000 in one
week, a $12,000 Gaines McHale dining
table and chairs, lots of original
oils in gorgeous frames, and high-end
jewelry from estate liquidations.
Tell me about the Sidewalk Sale
for Charity…
On the Wednesday after Labor
Day we have our annual sidewalk
sale and the proceeds are donated to
a charity that benefits women and
children. For the last six years, we’ve
donated to House of Ruth. We could
keep the proceeds as profit, but we
feel very strongly about our commitment
to community. This tradition of
giving goes back over 20 years, with
over $100,000 donated to charity.
The Clearing House is located at
200 W. Padonia Road in Timonium.
To schedule a consignment appointment,
call 410-561-4546. Allow two weeks
for furniture and at least a month for
smalls.
70 Mason-Dixon ARRIVE | APRIL 2011 Mason-Dixon ARRIVE | APRIL 2011 71