Buffalo Grove Resident Opens Consignment Store

Over the years I’ve forked out so much money on clothing and formalwear for my kids, most especially my daughter, that its sum has become a frightening amount. Besides the time it takes to find the “perfect” dress or outfit for the latest event in her life; I’m spent, both literally and figuratively.

From trips we’ve made to Woodfield, Hawthorn Mall and specialty boutiques, I’ve not just purchased the specific items, but I’ve also increased my gas bills.

So often when talking to friends and even other exhausted moms in dressing rooms, we’ve debated why there isn’t a resale shop or exchange program for dresses worn to only one homecoming dance or one Bat Mitzvah party. Add to that the shoes they “must have” that after one wear, they’ve outgrown.

I’ve made a concerted effort to pass along my kids’ clothes to friends or family and have often gotten hand-me-downs for both of my kids.  Fit, trends and personal tastes aren’t always the same when clothes are passed along, but there is a solution in sight.

Buffalo Grove native, Tara Joseph, moved here from Michigan when she was 9 years old and she went to both and . She met her husband in seventh grade and dated him from sophomore year of high school on; they both knew they wanted to one day raise their family in Buffalo Grove.

Thankfully they settled back in BG as she not only has been an active member of the PTO and this year’s co-president, she’s also opening a brand new store, It’s So Tara!

Located at the corner of Deerfield Parkway and Weiland Road, this new upscale resale consignment shop, with a grand opening on Saturday, will carry girls and women’s clothing, shoes and accessories. Tara says, “I have been in love with fashion, the fashion world, fashion design, and everything and anything having to do with clothes, accessories and designers. I’ve always been focused on making sure that I am up do date with the most current styles and trends. I am a person that feels that how you dress and present yourself is how you feel about yourself and that you should always be willing to take chances in what the fashion world has to offer.”

Currently the store has more than 3,000 items of gently used and some new items consisting of clothing, jewelry, dresses, shoes, scarves, purses and more. On my visit to It’s So Tara, I would never have guessed it was a consignment store. The décor and setup had a boutique atmosphere. Most exciting was the “special occasion room” filled with all types of dresses, party shoes and evening bags with the added benefit of getting these items at amazing price points well below retail. 

Here is a quick version of the consignment process. Client A brings whatever they have in girl’s size 10 to woman’s size 14 to Tara by appointment. She goes through the merchandise right then and there and keeps what she believes will be good selling items. She tags the items with a personal and unidentifiable code that relates only to Client A. Tara chooses the price point of the item. Let’s say it’s marked at $20. When Shopper X wants to buy that item, there is a 50 percent split between It’s So Tara and Client A.

It’s a win-win situation as long as the merchandise is good (which it was on my visit) and people are willing to shop resale. I know I am. It’s no different than a hand-me-down except you know it fits! 

With two equally fashion conscious daughters, Tara says about the opening, “It's So Tara is a dream come true and I cannot wait to bring my energy and excitement for fashion and style to the area. My prices are second to none and my passion for what I am doing is so strong.”

As always, email me with any news, topics or ideas that you want to read about. Remember, I’d like to be the first to know! I can be reached at laurenbgpatch@aol.com.