One of Chicago’s hottest new startups has made its way to the Twin Cities. Dubbed the “Rolls-Royce of garage sales,” Luxury Garage Sale has just opened its first Minnesota storefront at 50th and France in Edina. Its name is somewhat misleading—it’s not actually a garage sale, but in fact a retail store that sells gently used and new high-end apparel and accessories. The brand launched five years ago as a series of pop-up shops before expanding into e-commerce and brick-and-mortar. If the concept sounds familiar to local shoppers, it should be—Luxury Garage Sale has popped up in town over the past few years via a series of pop-up events at fellow 50th and France retailer Bluebird Boutique.
Luxury Garage Sale’s clean, minimal layout and merchandising mimics that of a high-end boutique, rather than a cluttered, stuffed-to-the-gills consignment shop. Quality is also an integral part of the Luxury Garage Sale brand—every piece on sale at the boutique has gone through an extensive authentication and inspection process at its Chicago distribution center before landing on the store’s shelves. The boutique only carries shoes with light wear on the soles, and all of its clothing and accessories are in like-new condition. In addition to its gently used consignment, the store also sources products from boutiques from around the country, so some of its goods have never been worn, and even come with their original tags.
The store’s merchandise selection emphasizes unique pieces rather than basics, such as a Prada floor-length fur coat trimmed in curly lamb wool, fringed suede gloves by Lanvin, and bejeweled Miu Miu sneakers. The boutique’s bread and butter is its selection of designer handbags from names such as Valentino, Marni, Gucci, and Chloe, and it counts Chanel, Louis Vuitton, and Hermès as its most popular sellers. These aren’t your typical garage sale items—or prices. Goods range from a Chanel tweed jacket for $795, Christian Louboutin pumps for $395, and a Balmain leather fringed moto jacket for $4,295. In the world of designer consignment, demand (and condition) controls the market value of items, and accessories hold their value longer than clothing—meaning that vintage Chanel handbag you’re eyeing will appreciate in value every year. Now that’s what we call a bargain.
The store’s grand opening takes place next Thursday, October 20, from 5 to 8 p.m., during which shoppers can meet the store’s co-founder, Brielle Buchberg, sip champagne, and shop, with 10 percent of proceeds going to local nonprofit, Smile Network International.
Now open, 5051 France Ave. S., Edina, 612-354-3356, luxurygaragesale.com
