"Take your shoes off, baby. Get comfortable."
This is what you'll likely hear seconds after you step into Chassity Dykes' consignment shot, Nu 2 U.
Dykes, 35, is a graduate of Northwest Rankin, and she is a Jackson native who has a love affair with consignment. Her easy smiles and "glad to see you" exude the passion she has for her business.
At first glance, you know that you're going to be in here for a while. It's like a warehouse of fashion staples and old trends alike. Racks are filled with a juxtaposition of immense style options: vintage blouses to riding boots, toys to an impressive selection of prom dresses.
Dykes has an infectious, down-home aura and grin to match. She says what makes her happiness shine through is "the love I have for my business."
Along with business partner and friend Nettie Abston, Dykes began treading the waters of the consignment world in 2004 with a store in Brandon. Shortly after Abston and Dykes became friends, they decided to open a business together. "Nettie is the reason I'm in business today," she says. "This was her brainchild. This store has been a blessing."
In May 2005, Dykes opened the doors of NU 2 U, a consignment boutique in Pearl. The name NU 2 U alludes to the core of her business. "One man's trash is another man's treasure," she says.
While perusing her store's goodies, I found an Ellen Tracy sweater for $12 and Stuart Wietzman shoes for $15. These steals are definitely going to be someone's treasures. It's too bad they weren't my size.
Until recently the word "consignment" had a stigma attached to it. Those who shopped consignment stores were thought to be poor souls who couldn't afford new clothing. This has certainly changed with the recent influx of consignment boutiques popping up everywhere and references to vintage and consignment in major fashion publications, not to mention the growth of eBay.
"It's a bargain hunt, a hunt for buried treasure," Dykes says. "I have found pieces that people love, and it's often a piece I've paid the least amount of money for. It's not about how the clothes look or where they came from; it's about how they make you feel."
Dykes plans to open a third store in Jackson soon.
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