While many high school graduates spent the summer prepping for college or looking for a job, Brooke Ricker started a business venture in downtown Hampton — Second Chances Clothing Resale and Miss Glitz Pageant Rentals.
“I decided to open Second Chances because after graduation I knew I would have to do something and I didn’t want to go to college just yet,” Brooke explained. “I wanted to be my own boss, and work my schedule and run things my way!”
A week after graduation she had her LLC, and by the end of May she had started clearing out the old building at 213 W. Main that had been used in recent years mostly for storage. It took all summer with help from a few close friends and family to get the building from cluttered to classy and set up the way she envisioned it.
Old red paint on the outside trim and brick disappeared under a fresh coat of white with black trim. Window displays were perked up with a catchy new logo. Inside, walls and floors were touched upon with a lovely lavender to make the black displays pop. p y p p Doors opened August 17 and the grand opening was September 1.
Brooke’s market niche is everybody — at least everybody interested in boosting their wardrobe with slightly used clothes for half the new rack price. Bargain shoppers will want to watch for the $2 rack sidewalk sales.
To keep up with the latest deals and new inventory, shoppers can:
- Stop in at 213. W. Main, Hampton
- Follow on Facebook
- Call (870) 608-0330
- Email [email protected]
“We are not a consignment store, but we do buy new with tags and new without tag clothes, shoes, and purses,” Brooke said. “Don’t forget us when you clean your closet out! Take advantage of our buy counter and bring us what you got!” The “buy counter” is by appointment only, on Mondays from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. and every secondTuesday from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. Items must be in a plastic tote (that can be returned) and any items not placed in the store can be picked up later, or may be donated elsewhere. Closet purgers who just want things out of the way may donate to Second Chances during any store hours. Plus, Brooke will soon announce details about a coat drive sponsored by Second Chances to help the community.
Because she buys and also accepts closet clean outs, the inventory is fluid. “You never know what we may have and we are adding new stuff every day,” Brooke said, adding, “We have tons of name brand clothes.”
Sizes range from baby clothes and toddlers to youth, misses, and plus sizes.
Although Brooke is the sole owner, the “we” includes her grandmother Aletha Bryant, who helps with the pageant dress rental side of the operation.
Brooke appreciates everybody who helped jump start her endeavor, but especially thanks Larry and Shanna Killian for all they have done, and good friend Kacie Reede who has helped out whenever and wherever, to include being the photographer.
Store hours are Monday 3 p.m.-7 p.m. Tuesday-Friday 10 a.m. - 5 p.m., and Saturday 10 a.m.- 2p.m.
