Ashley’s Attic Opens Tomorrow in Colorado Springs…Upscale Thrift & Consignment Store (Whoohoo!)

I AM SO HAPPY to announce that tomorrow my dear friend Ashley Gillit is opening her own thrift and consignment store downtown Colorado Springs! You know, I didn’t know Ashley before I began this website. Our web designer and editor (and friend) Trig told me he had a friend who was interested in fashion and wanted to help in any way she could when we were getting our site off the ground. My first (skeptic me) thought was, “Well, we can’t pay her anything and why would she want to help a complete stranger…maybe she’s kind of weird?” After he assured me she was “ok”, my husband and I met her and her husband for cocktails and immediately hit it off. She wanted to help me just because she loves fashion and helping women look good. She didn’t want anything in return, just wanted to help out. I can’t imagine not having Ashley as my friend now!

THE YOUNGER YEARS – A budding fashionista’s journey

Ashley’s been a fashionista since she was little. She loved playing dress up and shopping with her mom from an early age, going so far as to put pearls on their dog Muffin while she wore the heels. Ashley said she remembers her mom doing her nails every two weeks and then coordinating her wardrobe for the next couple of weeks to match her nails. She grew up dressing up for church and when Ashley and her mom would run errands, they always touched up their makeup, combed their hair and made sure they were “presentable” just in case they ran into someone they might now… her fashion sense comes naturally obviously. Ashley told me, “Fashion and design has always been a part of who I am, since I was a small child.’ she likes to express herself through how she puts an outfit together and gets very excited from a “good find”.

 

You know, it’s easier to be “fashionable” when you spend a lot of money (even though a lot of money doesn’t mean you’re necessarily fashionable) but Ashley is a budget fashionista, which is one of the reasons we get along so well. In high school Ashley and her mom would hit all the local thrift and consignment shops in town, finding unique and fun clothes for next to nothing. Some people grow up remembering the dreaded hand me downs from older relatives and friends but not Ashley. She said she can remember being giddy about hand me down bags of “unknown” surprises that were waiting in the bags. “I think it’s the randomness that gets me excited and my expectations were always expecting the…unexpected.”

 

Heels and leopard fur denim jackets in high school were her “norm”. For some, band practice might mean jeans and a tee. For Ashley, it meant a tweed olive-green skirt, olive-green turtleneck  sweater, olive-green tights and olive-green heels. (She did admit that outfit still haunts her to this day and that she probably looked like a martini garnish!)

In college Ashley would ride her turquoise beach cruiser in heels and a dress for 4 miles to and from campus. She said she’d walk miles on campus in heels and while her feet hurt, she wanted to look adorable in class (which I’m sure she did!) Ashley was involved in Fashion Group International (while in college) and built floats, organized fashion shows and modeled. She graduated Colorado State University in 2007 with a BS in Apparel & Merchandising.

 

Ashley worked as a merchandiser/buyer for Cordillera Country Club in Edwards, Colorado (Vail area) and then at Petals of Provence, working as a florist. While working as a florist she learned to make wedding arrangements and supplied very high-end homes with weekly arrangements. She said she loved the work and it’s a skill she still has and enjoys using. I’ve personally watched her pick up a few thrift store items and completely rearrange a room, making it look like a fashion page.

For the past 6 years Ashley has been working corporate retail where she’s honed her skills in customer service, merchandising and working with the public. And while she wouldn’t change the experience, she always dreamed of having a retail space she could call her own. For the past year she has been a huge part of our 719Woman contest makeovers and though her expertise doesn’t lie in the kitchen, she’s done cooking videos with me too…I think she’s been faking her non-cooking skills so her husband will cook dinner most of the time! Ashley’s our official “fashion contributor” and is one of the best at accessorizing and putting fabulous looks together.

TODAY – A frugal fashionista’s dream come true!

So now Ashley’s branching out and her dream has come true with her very own store called Ashley’s Attic. “My mom has helped me along this business journey and has been my biggest supporter. I have a dad of gold who has done everything from electrical to plumbing to hanging racks from the ceiling. My husband has been a great support by encouraging me to chase my dream and didn’t blink an eye when I asked him to resurface the floors. I owe a huge THANK YOU to my parents, family and husband for all their support, love and encouragement. I love you all!”

The shop is small but very cute! I’ve seen it in various stages and it is now a warm and inviting place that feels and looks like an expensive boutique without the expensive prices! Ashley says, “We’re just starting off so as you know, there will be improvements as we go. I want to make this a successful labor of love.” She has poured her heart and soul in to the store, hand picking (along with her mom Cherie) every item, making sure it is in impeccable condition and is fashionable.

 

Ashley says she’s looking forward to opening her doors on Friday and inviting everyone to visit her “dream that has become reality”.

Another thing I love about this store (and Ashley) is that every element in the store has been reused, re-purposed, and recycled…staying true to her passion of second-hand joy.

Something unique Ashley’s Attic offers is “Clothing Affair” Parties, which is an after hours “exclusive” time you and your girlfriends can come and shop with the store to yourself. Ashley can and will help you with fashion questions and pull an outfit together for you from head to toe. I’ve watched her zoom through thrift stores, helping with our makeovers, pulling random things together that suddenly makes for a fashionable ensemble. The store offers lots of different styles and sizes so no matter your age or size, she’ll have something for you. I am hoping she adds a few more things in my own size because I just donated a ton of my own clothes to Goodwill so I of course have to replace them all! (Hint–and you do know my size!)

Ashley’s Attic is a consignment boutique and consigns by appointment only. You can email or call her with any questions you might have. For those who want to consign, she’s looking for fun, funky, fashionable and designer brands to sell that are in good condition.

• Store Hours will be Fridays from 10-6 and Saturdays from 10-5.
• The address is 829 North Tejon (Colorado Springs).
• You can reach Ashley’s Attic by phone at (719) 237-1323 or email her at ashleysattic829@gmail.com .

Remember, the store opens tomorrow, Friday, at 10:00am! I will of course be there to shop, help, and take pictures! I’ve been eyeballing the merchandise and at these prices and fabulous selections, I’m going to be a happy woman. I think this store is especially great for those who like good prices, want to be green and don’t mind second-hand (they do find new items too) but don’t like to hunt though racks and racks to find that special something. Ashley does all the work of finding the best so you don’t have to.

I’m so very proud and happy that Ashley ventured out to make this a reality and I wish her all the success! You know, sometimes you meet someone who’s just genuinely nice and wants to help others. That’s exactly who and what Ashley is all about.

Ashley says, “I look forward to meeting all the new faces and saying hi to those who drop in.”

Come meet Ashley tomorrow and see what Ashley’s Attic is all about!