Gale Cirillo, a Seymour resident, owns One More Tyme, a consignment shop at 39 New Haven Road, in Seybridge Plaza.
The store is filled with unique items from simple shoes to ornate vases, from pins to pillows and from wedding attire to ruby shoes.
One More Tyme is approaching its 20 anniversary, so Cirillo took a few minutes to chat with the Valley Indy about the shop’s local staying power.
Valley Independent Sentinel: How would you describe the style of your store?
Gale Cirillo: It’s a boutique consignment store. It’s not a thrift store. It’s not dark and dingy. I wanted to make it a shopping experience, like a department store.
VIS: What types of items do you sell?
Cirillo: We sell clothes, household items, jewelery, baby equipment, pocketbooks and a lot of other stuff.
VIS: When did you start the store?
Cirillo: I took over in 2003 but I think it began around 1990. When the store began, I actually worked here in 1997.
VIS: Where do you get your items?
Cirillo: Mostly from Valley residents although I get a lot of items from people from Bethany and Woodbridge.
VIS: What makes a good consignment item?
Cirillo: If it’s unique or unusual. We do have people bring in vintage nick knacks. However, we don’t take older clothing.
VIS: Why not?
Cirillo: We don’t get many people looking for that stuff.
VIS: What attracts you to own a consignment shop over another retail business?
Cirillo: Probably because I liked working here first. It’s exciting, sociable and like a treasure hunt. I was the original owner’s best customer.
VIS: What was your favorite find in a consignment shop?
Cirillo: A real Chanel purse. White and quilted. I knew it was real when I saw it.
VIS: Has business picked up since the economy dropped?
Cirillo: Yes, people are buying more and they are selling more too.
VIS: What’s the average price for items here?
Cirillo: Six dollars. I use that price a lot.
VIS: Do you sell any of your stuff online.
Cirillo: No, that’s a whole other job.
One More Tyme is open Tuesday and Wednesday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Thursday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Friday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The store can be reached at 203 – 888-0878 and is on Facebook.