There are treasures to be found at The Little Suitcase Resale Boutique. Just ask the shop’s fix-it guy, Jack Beeson, who said he’s found high quality picture frames, and antique memorabilia-type items here.
Beeson has repaired many donated items over the years, including a handmade antique breadbox – making them as “good as new,” he said.
“About anything anybody wants comes in here periodically,” Beeson said.
The resale shop hosted a special opening on Sunday, Dec. 11, at its new location, the old WabiSabi warehouse, at 1030 S. Bowling Alley Lane. Normal hours are Monday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. during the winter, and until 5 p.m. in the summer.
Formerly located in the old Taco Bender building at 427 N. Main St., the shop needed to relocate when the landlord decided to move into the Main Street location, The Little Suitcase Resale Boutique manager Janice Foote said.
“Now we’re in a warehouse type of space,” Foote said. “We love it. We’ve made it really cute.”
The business moved into its new location in late October. Staff spent weeks renovating the shop before last weekend’s special opening.
“We have amazing goods, like nice clothing, shoes, purses,” Foote said. “We go to Phoenix once a month to an upscale consignment shop that gives to us. You walk in (there) and you’d think everything was brand-new … One day’s worth of stuff they don’t want, fills up our truck.”
The Little Suitcase offers specials every Thursday – for example, customers who buy a dress get a second dress for half price, Foote said.
The store’s founder, Wendy Harris, named the shop “The Little Suitcase” because “she realized everyone is on a journey and we should encourage one another on that journey,” the manager said.
Proceeds from the store go to fund the Seventh Day Adventists’ DayStar Academy in Castle Valley. The organization also donates goods such as warm coats and socks to the Navajo Nation, and other store items to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints’ Deseret Industries thrift stores, Foote said.
While Foote receives a stipend, everyone else who works at the store volunteers his or her time. Foote said she couldn’t run the store without Beeson, and full-time volunteer Amy Castillo, whose “presence, abilities and kindness” go a long way toward making customers comfortable.
Thanks to Beeson, the store discards very little, Foote said.
“We repaint, remove scratches; we try and make things way nice,” she said.
In addition to the above-mentioned groups, the resale shop also helps The Salvation Army and other people in need, Castillo said.
“Last summer we cooked meals for a family (who had an ill family member),” she said. “We try to do things on a personal scale.”
Community members have also lent a hand from time to time by helping with moves, and bringing lunch to workers.
“We feel very blessed to have such a wonderful community,” Foote said.
In fact, the shop is a bit of a community center, she added, with customers coming in not only to shop, but also to talk. People like to come in and chat, and they’re welcome to do so, Foote said.
Shoppers can expect new items on the store’s shelves, since two shipments of new merchandise have come in since the shop moved, Foote said.
Resale boutique reopens at former WabiSabi warehouse
What: The Little Suitcase Resale Boutique new location
When: Winter hours are Mondays through Thursdays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Where: 1030 S. Bowling Alley Lane (former WabiSabi warehouse behind Rick’s Glass)
Information: 435-259-3013
For more information, call 435-259-3013.
