In the fashion world, consignment is one way to keep clothing out of landfills and give your pre-loved pieces new life and more love, differing from thrifting or vintage shopping experiences. Edmonton’s consignment shops in particular have a bit of a tucked-away, hidden-gem feel to them, often discovered by word-of-mouth from satisfied consignors (the people who their closets of items that, to borrow a concept from Marie Kondo, no longer spark joy) and shoppers—and more recently, by increased social media presences required during the pandemic.
Each shop has its own internal processes for how and what they consign, the length of their contracts (anywhere from 6–14 weeks), and the profits split between shop and consignor (usually 60/40). But they certainly all contain hidden treasures. Get ready to find some great new-to-you fashions at these destination shops in Edmonton.
Mod Uncorked Consignment | Back Alley Entrance10110 124 Street, Open Tuesday to Sunday, @moduncorked, moduncorked.com
In 2018, Limor Webber, owner of Mod Uncorked, fell into the world of reselling after finding a vintage, 1970s Valentino blazer at a thrift store. She paid only $6 for it and, after she was done wearing it herself, sold it online for over $300! Friends soon started giving her their clothes to sell, and within three months Webber had moved from reselling vintage finds to setting up a full consignment shop. She still loves the thrill of finding rare vintage items, but the bulk of her shop, which she opened in 2020 in its current cozy space on 124 Street, is filled with a wonderful collection of carefully curated fashions. Webber prides herself on thoroughly researching every piece in the shop and knowing the value of each one—something both her shoppers and consignors appreciate.
Red Pony Consignment | 9940 82 Avenue, Open Tuesday to Saturday, @redponywhyte, redpony.ca
Red Pony has made a name for itself in Edmonton as a consignment store that specializes in local, independent, and Canadian-made fashions and designer pieces. Owner Yannick Vienne is passionate about sustainable fashion and supporting items specifically made in Canada, and loves to acquaint clients with her favourite designers. Along with a great selection of current styles, you’ll find many brands and labels that no longer exist on the market, but whose designs and garments have become collector items. Shopping at Red Pony is like a treasure hunt through the history of local designers and one-of-a-kind fashions, and you are sure to find something special.
Good Stuff Consignment | 10704 142 Street | Open Monday to Sunday | @goodstuffconsignment_
This lovely west end boutique, located on the corner of a strip mall, is owned
by Mavis Bergquist, a former lawyer and self-professed label snob. They’ve been open since 2013, and many of their consignors have been with them since the beginning, bringing in a steady flow of items from their closets over the years. Bergquist says that her shoppers expect to find the “good stuff ” at her boutique, and she tells anyone wishing to consign with them to bring in like-new higher-end pieces. The shop also has a passion project where proceeds from any costume jewellery are donated to Saving Grace Animal Shelter, a charity near and dear to them.
My Favorite Aunts | 5212 86 Street, Open Tuesday to Saturday, @myfavoriteaunts, myfavoriteaunts.ca
If you’ve ever heard someone say they got a great dress or purse from “my favourite aunt,” they might not have been talking about their relative, but rather the long-standing Edmonton consignment store. Originally called Kid’s Stuff Etc., the shop first started in 1978 as a joint venture between two moms and is now owned by their daughters, Holly and Larissa. Just as the pair grew up with the store, the store grew with them—the kids’ section was phased out, home décor was added, and the shop expanded to include two more bays in the building’s industrial complex. My Favorite Aunts has a constant turnover of clothing, shoes, accessories, and home décor, all living up to their consignment motto of “Cute, Current, and Clean.”
This article by Natasha Chiam appears in the September/October 2022 issue of Info Edmonton magazine.
