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Consignment Shop Goes Formal

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By LAURA FRAZIER, The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 27, 2007

Updated: 10/25/2007 07:33 pm

BRANDON - Maureen Montalvo has been a consignment store devotee since the 1980s, when she wrapped up a six-year stint as a shoe model in New York City.

'The shoes were free, and I got used to wearing the good stuff,' she said.

On a shoestring budget after retiring, she began frequenting consignment stores to stock her closet and hasn't stopped since.
Montalvo browsed the sale racks Tuesday at La Chic Boutique on Brandon Boulevard. The retail consignment shop, opened in 2004, offers secondhand and new designer women's apparel and recently added bridal gowns and formal wear to its collection of famous-name casual, career and evening wear, shoes and accessories.
Montalvo visits the shop weekly to feed her 'shoe fetish,' she said, and scout out other bargains. Tuesday, she wore a leopard-print sweater set she said sells for $200 new but cost just $35 at La Chic.

'Everything is high end, the prices are good, the styles are current and there is absolutely no junk. It feels like new in here,' Montalvo said.

Store owner Pam Loeffler said more than half of about 200 wedding gowns on display are new. She purchases new gowns from bridal stores that have gone out of business and brides who change their minds about their dresses ... or their weddings.

Loeffler said helping brides-to-be look stunning and stylish on a budget is the most rewarding aspect of her business.

'Even when times are tough, brides are still going to dress, and they still want to look beautiful,' she said.

Loeffler is celebrating the opening of the bridal and formal section with a sale event from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. today at the store.

The sale will feature items discounted by 50 percent to 75 percent, door prizes, free food and fashion shows.

La Chic won best or runner-up honors in the Best Kept Secret category of The Brandon News & Tribune's annual Best of Brandon reader poll each of the three years it has been open. Loeffler said many of her customers keep the shop hush-hush because 'no one wants to share where they got their designer stuff.'
Montalvo has no qualms about spreading the word. At a Brandon Chamber of Commerce meeting Tuesday morning, she responded to compliments about her sweater set by giving out the store's name and location.

'We needed a classy consignment shop in Brandon, and this is it,' Montalvo said.

LA CHIC BOUTIQUE
WHAT: Consignment shop offering designer casuals, business wear, bridal attire and formals

WHERE: 220 W. Brandon Blvd.

STORE HOURS: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday to Thursday; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday; no appointments are necessary to drop off consignments

SPECIAL SALE EVENT: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. today; 50 percent to 75 percent off many items, door prizes, free food and fashion shows

INFORMATION: (813) 662-0007

Reporter Laura Frazier can be reached at (813) 657-4523 or lfrazier@tampatrib.com.

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