Business Spotlight: Consignment Thrives at Mr. & Miscellaneous

 — by Cara Russell —

Josh and Misty Holley at the new consignment store, Mr. & Miscellaneous (formerly Aurora’s and Fashion Fairy)

Meet Mr. & Miscellaneous, Your Local Mom and Pop Second-Hand Shop

Reduce, reuse, recycle, repair, and redistribute: the five ‘Rs,’ are a way of life for many of Orcas Island’s residents, and if you ask Josh and Misty Holley, the new owners of Mr. & Miscellaneous Consignment shop, they will tell you that their business is dedicated to that way of life.

The store has been open for the last six weeks in Eastsound Village, and the owners (and longtime friends and newlyweds) are thrilled with the support they have received from the community and their family.

123 North Beach Rd has been the address of many past thrift stores — C&C Company, Aurora’s, Fashion Fairy, and now Mr.& Miscellaneous. “The name kind of describes the two of us,” said Josh. “He’s the Mister, and I’m. . . all over the board,” Misty playfully added.

One might think that a new owner would simply take over the space, including all its inventory, but Josh and Misty started from scratch. “We even sprinkled rosewater in the space to feel that it was now completely anew,” said Misty. Starting over takes a lot of work and help, so the Holley’s were elated when Barbara Wixom (Aurora’s owner) came in and mentored the couple before they opened.

Misty’s daughter, Kaleena and her husband Shawn McGarry also helped with the remodel and assisted with the addition of a software database called Simple Consignment. While past thrift stores have used a simple trust system where clients would drop off a bag of clothes and then return later for a check, they never really knew what sold, for how much, and if they were being accurately compensated. This new database eliminates all that mystery by keeping track of each individual’s account and the sales status of their consigned items. Josh feels the software makes everything clear and simple while instilling trust between the community and their business.

So what can you expect to see at M&M? Reasonable prices, a continuously changing inventory, a permanent $3 rack and FREE rack in the hallway, and two owners who are there to help you find what you need. M&M accepts clothes, shoes, linen, kitchen supplies, tack and horse accessories, tools, and much more. It is their goal to be a store that caters to the changing needs of the community; whether it’s school clothes for the kids in August, a functioning telephone, a decent pair of work boots, or clothes for a job interview. “When you are the worker bee in the community you can’t always buy new or go to the mainland, so it’s helpful to have options on Island,” said Misty.

Consigned items will be kept on display in your name for six weeks. You may reclaim unsold items up until the six week period is complete. All prices and markdowns will be determined by Mr. & Miscellaneous, and you will receive 40% of the actual sale price. The consigners have the option of receiving a check once a month or using their credit in the store. They can also donate to local organizations like the Community Church, Orcas Family Connections, and the Orcas Food Bank.

Redistributing stretches the lifecycle of a product, reduces waste and encourages collaborative consumption in the San Juan Islands. Clothing items must be freshly laundered and ready to hang. Miscellaneous items must be clean, and in good condition and working order. And right now select items throughout the store are marked 30-40%.

Mr. & Miscellaneous is located at 123 North Beach Rd. in Eastsound Village. Call or email at 376-1434 or mistyk2222@yahoo.com. If you would like to donate, call or email and set up an appointment. Summer business hours are Monday – Saturday, 10AM – 6PM, and Sunday 11AM – 4PM.