Former shopper buys Kate's Designer Consignor
Caitlyn Lee was a frequent shopper at Kate's Designer Consignor, 1809 S. Mission St., before she took over as owner in October.
The business is a resale store that does consignment, meaning once an item is bought, the person who brought it to the store will receive 50 percent of the profit.
Kate sells anything from jewelry to dance shoes to formal gowns. Kate's Designer Consignor is the only place in town where you can get gowns and dance shoes until Lansing, Lee said.
"We sell original items here that can't be found anywhere else," Lee said.
She said she is also looking into getting maternity items and scrubs.
Lee said her favorite part of owning Kate's Designer Consignor is being able to build relationships with girls, learning who they are, and then picking dresses to match not just their figures, but their personalities as well.
"Every single girl who comes into this place is treated like a princess," Lee said. "We strive to make you feel like this is your store."
She also makes glass beaded bracelets and sells them for $10, and donates 80 percent to either Susan G. Komen For the Cure, or United Service Organization (USO) on a monthly rotation.
She decided to give back to these particular organizations because her husband is in the military, and breast cancer runs in her family.
Detroit senior Arielle Bryant has been to the store and said she was a fan of the experience.
"Kate's Designer Consignor is a great place to look like a million bucks for only $35," Bryant said. "Also, Kate does her best to find the perfect dress, which is often hard to flatter every body type."
Bloomfield Hills freshman Amarriah Valentine said she has not shopped at the store yet.
"I think that Kate's Designer Consignor is a good idea," Valentine said. "Not only can you buy items cheap, but they will buy items from you as well, and when you do both, it's almost like shopping for free"
