A jewel of a clothing store

Photo by Harald Hohendorf

JEWELL GUAGLIANONE DISPLAYS A COLORFUL BLOUSE IN HER PUYALLUP STORE.

Jewell’s Premier Consignment Store in downtown Puyallup has been in business since 2006. Jewell Guaglianone, owner, designed the space with her vision of being a premier consignment store.

After several years working for a major healthcare network, rising from supervisor to manager to director, Guaglianone realized her job was consuming her. She would come home from work, log on to the computer and work some more. She was putting in long hours – her work had become the biggest focus of her life, and both she and her family were suffering.

Guaglianone contemplated opening her own business, but had no idea what she wanted to pursue. In the healthcare industry, because of added regulation and the centralization of departments she felt she had lost touch with the public she served. She decided on a retail store because she knew she would have direct contact with people, and would not feel so disconnected.

She thought about a consignment store, and her vision for what she might create.

“I’m a second-hand store snob,” Guaglianone said. “I am not one of those people that enjoy searching for hours for that one piece of clothing. I want to go to a store, go directly to the section I want, and find the piece I’m looking for. I wanted to create a premier consignment store for people like me.”

The location of the store, on the northwest corner of Meeker Street and Meridian Avenue, was a treasured find. The window displays had been built by the previous tenant, and were ideal for a retail clothing store. In addition, the space has a large storage room above, which allows for a clothing rotation system that enables Guaglianone to keep the main floor of the store stocked with new, like new, and gently used season appropriate pieces.

Guaglianone considers the store as part of her mission.

“It’s a place where people can feel good, be comfortable, and praise God as they shop. I play Christian music, and notice that people sing along to the songs. God is a big part of my life, and I like to share that with people. Sometimes it’s not easy or the right time to share it in words, so I like to share it with the store’s atmosphere. Words can come later.”

The store now has more than 3,000 consignors, and takes in about 1,200 pieces a week. Merchandise includes women’s clothing, from size 0 to 3X, as well as shoes and accessories. Consignments are taken by appointment, generally during store hours. If a consignor cannot make it in because of work or other restrictions, Guaglianone is flexible with appointment times.

“Our customers are looking for clothing they can wear today. When you bring in what our customers want, it will sell,” she said.

The store is located at 124 South Meridian Ave. in downtown Puyallup, and is open from 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday and on Saturday. The store is open late on Friday nights, until 8 p.m. Sunday hours are from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, contact Guaglianone at (253) 864-7619 or (253) 864-0749, or visit her website at http://www.ijayg.com.

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