STUFF Consignment, as you may have guessed from the name, is a consignment boutique. It is located in the Warehouse District downtown. This Friday, they will be running a 20-70% off sale (continuing until Sunday), so stop by to find some real treasures in clothing, furniture, art, or other home furnishings you won’t find at the mall.

If you are in the market for clothing, I highly recommend checking this place out. I would recommend it even more so if you are fashionably challenged like I am. They have a fantastic selection of very stylish name-brand clothing, at great prices. I started buying my clothes here somewhat recently, and now can’t imagine buying at a traditional retail outlet.

As New Raleigh pointed out recently, there was some doubt as to whether or not STUFF would remain as a part of the downtown retail scene. Fortunately, Glenn decided to continue running the business after Walter returned to Brazil, and those wishing to shop downtown can still rely on this hidden treasure.

STUFF has been supplying Raleigh residents with uniquities for several years now. This past Halloween marked the three year anniversary of the opening of the store.

All of the bad news about the economy and retail isn’t something just affecting businesses outside of the somewhat recently designated “recession proof” economy of Raleigh. Glenn May (above) acknowledged that sales this year are below what he had been projecting. Although sales are about what they were last year, growth is not what he had been expecting and counting on. The economy is on the minds of his customers, and it’s something they mention when frequenting his shop. He did note that this past week has marked a significant uptick in sales as the holiday season approaches. With any luck, his fortunes this past week will continue on and be shared by other retailers.

Sue Stock of the News & Observer had a particularly eye-opening fact in her most recent column:

Businesses with only one location make up 96 percent of U.S. retail companies, and this year could be a make-or-break holiday season for many of them.

When deciding where to purchase gifts this holiday season, consider your local small business owner. Chances are that a purchase made at such a retailer will have more character and be more memorable than something bought at a big-box chain store.

STUFF Consignment
307 W Martin St.
Raleigh, NC 27601
(919) 836-5347

[ All week we are focusing on ways to avoid traffic and shopping malls by giving patronage to small businesses in the area. If you have operate a small business and would like to be featured here, please contact us. ]