Sandy’s Upscale Consignment

Fashion is herpassion Sandy’s Upscale Consignment has a loyal following – for a good reason

Consignment Shops

by Sandra Landen Machaj

CORRESPONDENT

For 25 years, Sandy’s Upscale Consignment has been located in the community of Walworth, providing customers with high-end fashion and accessories at reasonable prices.

Located at 212 North Main St, just off the Square in downtown Walworth, it is the favorite place to shop for both local residents and visitors to the Geneva Lakes area.

“I opened the shop on a whim. I have always shopped consignment stores as they provide more bang for the buck. There is always better value in the items purchased in the consignment shops. We all enjoy getting top quality and stylish merchandise when shopping,” said Sandy Lenz, owner of Sandy’s Upscale Consignment.

It was on a shopping trip to the consignment shop, just on the corner from her current location in Walworth, that Lenz learned that the current owner was ready to retire and close the business.

“I didn’t even think about it,” Sandy hared. “I purchased the rest of her stock, rented the space, and gave my current employer two weeks’ notice.”

Although she had never run a consignment shop, having worked as a hair stylist and as a bartender, fashion was always her passion. She began working on the space to add her own style to the shop, rearranging and replacing merchandise and acquiring additional merchandise. “I printed off information about the new store and distributed them to be posted in local businesses. I began to advertise in Spirit of Geneva Lakes and through the Chamber of Commerce. Information about the reopening of the store also spread by word of mouth,” Sandy said.

Owner Sandy Lenz of Sandy’s Upscale Consignment pauses amid the racks of clothing at her store in Walworth. Many customers have been coming for the entire 25 years the store has been open.

COURTESY OF SANDY LENZ Spirit of Geneva Lakes

A fashion sense

It was her choices in the merchandise she carried that not only brought customers in but also kept them returning. Everything carried in the store is there on consignment. By not purchasing outright, it allows for a much larger inventory and variety to offer customers.

All of the merchandise that Sandy accepts on consignment is top quality and in excellent condition. She accepts clothing in all sizes so there is a good selection from the petite through the plus sizes.

While visiting in the store, a customer came in excited to show Sandy a photo taken at her son’s wedding the previous weekend. She had purchased her dress for the wedding at Sandy’s shop. It was an elegant navy blue gown, very chic with only a small amount of decorative beading around the neckline. Simple, yet elegant, was this mother of the groom. She was so pleased with her appearance and also with her budget and wanted to share her delight with Sandy and her staff.

Clothing styles available include dresses such as those suitable for a wedding or other formal event, the perfect outfit for a nice dinner, and the right outfits to wear to work, that is for those back to working in their offices. There is also a large selection of casual summer dresses, jeans, and slacks along with the right blouses to compliment the slacks and jeans for whatever the occasion. Close scrutiny

In order to bring in items for consignment, it is necessary to schedule an appointment with Sandy. She personally selects the items that will be appropriate for the store. By having an appointed time, she is free to look at the items carefully to determine whether they are truly the quality of upscale consignments to offer her customers. Nothing stained, ripped, or worn out, is ever accepted.

“We treat the store like a typical clothing store or high-end boutique. We change the items seasonally so the clothing is appropriate for the time of the year,” Sandy said.

Each day a different item is displayed on Instagram, Facebook, and the website. Sandy advises customers to check daily to see the new trends available.

Clothing is not all that is offered at Sandy’s Upscale Consignment. As any woman knows, more than just the items of clothing are needed for a truly finished

above: Jewelry, jewelry, and more jewelry: Sandy’s Upscale Consignment Shop features a wide variety of rings, necklaces and bracelets. right: Sandy Lenz displays a casual summer dress that has been paired with a purse and jewelry for the perfect summer outfit.

SANDRA LANDEN MACHAJ Spirit of Geneva Lakes

look. There is the need for accessories, shoes, purses and, of course, jewelry to have a finished look.

Pulling together a finished outfit is easily done here at a price easy on the budget and frequently less expensive for the complete look than purchasing just the dress or slacks and top at a traditional department store. Accessorize it

Sandy’s jewelry selections are immense and top notch. With earrings available both for those who wear clip on styles and earrings suitable for pierced ears, in various styles, brands and colors, picking up some new pairs is easy to do. Rings of all sizes are in trays in a large display case. A shopper can spend a large amount of time just going through the rings and earrings and still will need to check all the necklaces and bracelets available. Many items are high quality silver with well-cut stones.

A woman’s purse is as unique and special as she is. Large, small, or in between depends on the woman and the occasion. Leather or fabric, print or plain, so many choices to acknowledge her own individuality. Name brand purses are always available but the brands change frequently. Looking for a Coach bag, a Spartina, or Kate Spade? There are choices in myriad colors, sizes, and styles.

Like any high-end boutique, clothes are arranged on racks by size, color, and style. On the end caps there are often complete outfits, the dress paired with an appropriate purse, shoes, or boots, and even the necklace that will complete the outfit. It is a great way to have a fashionable outfit and is especially good for those who may not be comfortable pairing items.

Many of us fall into a rut, wearing the same styles and colors. It is sometimes said that many people just buy the same outfit over and over. Well, that will not happen here. With Sandy’s guidance and her sense of pairing colors and styles she often suggests high-end styles that the customer might not have chosen for herself. She encourages customers to try on different looks without pushing. Often, they try on an outfit, suggested by Sandy, and are pleased at the look. The right space

Seventeen years ago, Sandy’s Upscale Consignment moved from its original corner location to its current location at 212 N. Main, just a few doors away. The building is large and it was originally the former blacksmith shop in Walworth. It has beautiful, original hardwood floors, high ceilings, and is painted in a light beige color.

The space was large enough that they were able to include four large dressing rooms, a luxury not always available in smaller boutiques and resale shops.

A first-time customer, Dawn from Libertyville, Illinois, who was staying at the Abbey made her first visit to the boutique and was amazed at the variety of items available. She is a tall woman who wears size 11 shoes, and was pleased to find shoes in her size and a variety of selections of clothing that fit her well.

“I love the clean look of the store and its great organization. I especially enjoyed the spacious dressing rooms, allowing me to try on items comfortably. I hope you will stay in business for tall people like me,” Dawn said.

While many customers are in the area enjoying a weekend or longer vacation time in the Geneva Lakes area, it is also the local residents that shop in the store on a regular

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basis. Nancy Alberth Lehman is one such customer. Her family has lived in the Walworth area since the 1800s. She says that she has lived in the community her entire life and has shopped at Sandy’s Upscale Consignment since it opened. “I come in and find wonderful things not only for myself but for my granddaughter who has special needs. She is always pleased when I bring her new things,” said Lehman. “There is always something new, exciting and perfect for my granddaughter and for me.”

Sandy’s Upscale Consignment has recently been awarded the Best in Walworth County for 2021 in three different categories all of which reflect her business. They are: best boutique; best women’s clothing; and best resale. She was very proud to be recognized in all three of these categories.

“I love the store. I enjoy helping people and I am now doing what I was meant to do,” she said.

And it seems that her customers love the store and her service as well.

Sandy’s Upscale Consignment is at 212 N. Main Street, right off the square in downtown Walworth. Contact the store by phone at 262-275-8221 or visit the website, Sandysupscaleconsignment.com. Sandy’s is on Facebook and Instagram.

Store hours are Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

COURTESY OF SANDY LENZ Spirit of Geneva Lakes above: Sandy Lenz has been the owner of Sandy’s Upscale Consignment located at 212 N. Main Street, Walworth, for 25 years. She personally oversees the shop, chooses the merchandise and works with clients to aid in selecting the best items for them. below: This bird’s eye view from the rear of the store, shows the variety of clothing available and the handbags on display from the traditional leather bags such as those from Coach and other high-end manufacturers.