Style Encore, a chain of women's resale boutiques, now has its first Minnesota location in Eagan. the store opened Thursday, May 29 after purchasing new and used women's clothing and accessories in Eagan and Burnsville for several months.
The concept is designed for women by women, said owner Mary Klapperich, who used to work for the parent company WInmark until she decided to become a franchisee with Style Encore. Winmark also owns Plato's Closet, Play It Again Sports and Once Upon a Child. Klapperich made sure that dressing rooms were larger, including a handicapped accessible one that fits a stroller, and painted in neutral colors.
The new Eagan store is Winmark's 13th in country with more agreements to open, said Steve Murphy, president of franchising for Winmark.
Despite a strengthening economy, the U.S. $13 billion resale market continues to do well, growing at about 7 percent each year for the last 2 years, according to the National Association of Resale Professionals.
What makes Style Encore similar to Clothes Mentor is that each company pays cash on the spot and no appointment is necessary when bringing in merchandise. But Style Encore is somewhat unique is accepting women's items of all seasons at any time. In other words,on an 80 degree day, feel free to bring in calf-length leather boots and North Face parka. "We buy all seasons every day," said Klapperich.
Clothes Mentor COO Chad Olson said that his stores also accept winter items in the off-season but to a lesser extent.They only accept select winter items during the spring summer, based on an item's popularity.
SE's brands include Ann Taylor, White House Black Market, Chico's, Talbots, Coldwater Creek, Banana Republic, Gap, J. Jill, and The Limited.
The store is located at 1960 Cliff Lake Road, suite 125 in Eagan.
