March 24, 2008
Retro fit | A chat with Melissa Rutigliano, founder of Olive's Vintage and More in Brunswick.
Founded: April 2007
Employees: None
Startup costs: $7,000
Projected Revenue, year one: $35,000
Projected revenue, year two: $42,000
Contact: 729-3853
10 Pleasant St., 2nd Fl., Brunswick 04011
What do you sell here?
Well, vintage men and women's clothing and accessories. Handmade things from local people. Records, books. It's a good eclectic mix of vintage and handmade. And most of the handmade stuff is kind of vintage-inspired.
What era would you say your stuff is from?
I'd say 60s probably. There's a lot of polyester in here. Maybe 60s through 80s would sum it up.
How did you get into the business?
From knowing Lauren [who runs Estilo, a consignment shop downstairs]. I was inspired by the fact that we had similar backgrounds, you know, just worked retail and she opened her store [and] it was her dream. And it was my dream but I never really talked about it. Then when she did it, I was like, "Whoa, I can do this." And then, I did it.
I chose Brunswick because I love Brunswick and I think this town's really cool. I've lived here for a few years now. But I could never find a vintage store. I always had to go to Portland for vintage.
How did you prepare?
Well, I had run two different [clothing] shops, so I kind of knew what I was getting myself into. I had to write a business plan because I got a line of credit from TD Banknorth. I had some money saved but I just wanted a cushion, just in case I needed some money. And I just spent the year before shopping in secondhand stores and on eBay, which I still do.
How do you find most of the clothes you sell?
Mostly eBay. I go home and I go on eBay instantly and I put in "vintage wholesale lots" so I can get multiple items at a time. Most of the time that works. Sometimes it can get crazy, you know, like people [are] willing to pay a lot [at auction], but I like to keep things pretty cheap in here. I'd say like the average number is probably $12. So yeah, eBay, and women bring in stuff. I buy outright [and] I do it on consignment.
How do you find stuff that's good but also cheap?
Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't. Like, what did I just lose last night? Oh, I think it was some 1950s slips, women's slips. And, yeah, I mean I'm only willing to go so high. So I got the email when I got home [that said] "You lost this blah, blah, blah," and I was like, "Yeah, whatever." So I never get attached to things unless I know that they're mine. I've had a lot of good luck. Knock on wood.
What's a really good deal you got recently?
Oh, it was right before Christmas. It was a great lot of something like 20 dresses and it was pretty cheap, probably like 30 bucks. That's like $1.10 a dress. So that's a big deal in my world. Because then it's like, if they don't sell, it's not a big deal. Some of them are still here. Some of them are kind of summery so I packed them away.
Do you ever sell anything on eBay?
Not really. I just started to, like, two weeks ago. I had this pretty amazing name brand dress that I didn't even bother selling in here. I sold it on there and it sold for like $90 or something. And then a couple things I've gathered up to make lots that didn't sell here that I just want to get rid of ˆ you know, "Ninety-nine cents, get it out of here, I don't care."
Was there anything that surprised you in the first year?
One thing that surprised meˆ I don't know. I guess I thought I'd do better with the Bowdoin kids, but I've actually done better with local kids. I used to bombard the Bowdoin campus with flyers, but I feel like they're a little more conservative.
And in terms of marketing, is it mostly flyers?
I have a coupon in the Sunrise Guide, and a couple people have come in and said, "This is how I've found out about you." So that was good. I never really have experimented with paid advertising. I did put a thing in the Bowdoin newspaper and I don't think I got much out of it, so now it's flyers, word of mouth. It'll happen.
Interview by Kerry Elson
Employees: None
Startup costs: $7,000
Projected Revenue, year one: $35,000
Projected revenue, year two: $42,000
Contact: 729-3853
10 Pleasant St., 2nd Fl., Brunswick 04011
What do you sell here?
Well, vintage men and women's clothing and accessories. Handmade things from local people. Records, books. It's a good eclectic mix of vintage and handmade. And most of the handmade stuff is kind of vintage-inspired.
What era would you say your stuff is from?
I'd say 60s probably. There's a lot of polyester in here. Maybe 60s through 80s would sum it up.
How did you get into the business?
From knowing Lauren [who runs Estilo, a consignment shop downstairs]. I was inspired by the fact that we had similar backgrounds, you know, just worked retail and she opened her store [and] it was her dream. And it was my dream but I never really talked about it. Then when she did it, I was like, "Whoa, I can do this." And then, I did it.
I chose Brunswick because I love Brunswick and I think this town's really cool. I've lived here for a few years now. But I could never find a vintage store. I always had to go to Portland for vintage.
How did you prepare?
Well, I had run two different [clothing] shops, so I kind of knew what I was getting myself into. I had to write a business plan because I got a line of credit from TD Banknorth. I had some money saved but I just wanted a cushion, just in case I needed some money. And I just spent the year before shopping in secondhand stores and on eBay, which I still do.
How do you find most of the clothes you sell?
Mostly eBay. I go home and I go on eBay instantly and I put in "vintage wholesale lots" so I can get multiple items at a time. Most of the time that works. Sometimes it can get crazy, you know, like people [are] willing to pay a lot [at auction], but I like to keep things pretty cheap in here. I'd say like the average number is probably $12. So yeah, eBay, and women bring in stuff. I buy outright [and] I do it on consignment.
How do you find stuff that's good but also cheap?
Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't. Like, what did I just lose last night? Oh, I think it was some 1950s slips, women's slips. And, yeah, I mean I'm only willing to go so high. So I got the email when I got home [that said] "You lost this blah, blah, blah," and I was like, "Yeah, whatever." So I never get attached to things unless I know that they're mine. I've had a lot of good luck. Knock on wood.
What's a really good deal you got recently?
Oh, it was right before Christmas. It was a great lot of something like 20 dresses and it was pretty cheap, probably like 30 bucks. That's like $1.10 a dress. So that's a big deal in my world. Because then it's like, if they don't sell, it's not a big deal. Some of them are still here. Some of them are kind of summery so I packed them away.
Do you ever sell anything on eBay?
Not really. I just started to, like, two weeks ago. I had this pretty amazing name brand dress that I didn't even bother selling in here. I sold it on there and it sold for like $90 or something. And then a couple things I've gathered up to make lots that didn't sell here that I just want to get rid of ˆ you know, "Ninety-nine cents, get it out of here, I don't care."
Was there anything that surprised you in the first year?
One thing that surprised meˆ I don't know. I guess I thought I'd do better with the Bowdoin kids, but I've actually done better with local kids. I used to bombard the Bowdoin campus with flyers, but I feel like they're a little more conservative.
And in terms of marketing, is it mostly flyers?
I have a coupon in the Sunrise Guide, and a couple people have come in and said, "This is how I've found out about you." So that was good. I never really have experimented with paid advertising. I did put a thing in the Bowdoin newspaper and I don't think I got much out of it, so now it's flyers, word of mouth. It'll happen.
Interview by Kerry Elson
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