By Cathy Miller

As a youngster, Paige Charette wore second-hand clothes and hated it. She developed a passion for fashion, dressing up her Barbie dolls in spectacular get-ups. In third grade she hung interesting outfits on her walls. She became a runway model. In her twenties she discovered consignment stores. To this day, she remembers what she loved and what she didn’t like when going into those shops.

So it’s no surprise that Paige eventually would own her own consignment shop.
Paige opened the doors to Park Avenue Consignment Boutique, her little shop of high-fashion finds, slightly over two years ago. The Washington resident fell in love with the space within hours of another space falling through. She labeled it “a gem,” signed the lease in February 2020, and planned a March opening.

“The pandemic shutdown came before we were able to open,” Paige explained. “At that point we were dealing with the uncertainty most others experienced too, but we decided to pursue this dream. I took a part-time job to get by. My husband Thomas and I continued renovating the boutique. It was a wonderful time, creating a beautiful place and dreaming about the future. This really carried us through the shutdown, giving us hope as New Jersey allowed businesses to slowly reopen. It wasn’t easy at first, but I maintained my current hours starting in December 2020. We didn’t see any significant business until spring 2021.”

Paige acknowledged, “The boutique grew a lot once we were fully able to reopen,” admitting she’d now love to have a separate gown room, but “you learn as you grow.” As the recovery continues, she mused, “We count ourselves blessed and always bear in mind that many others had it much worse as so many lost everything.”

Renovation and redesign persisted. With Thomas’ help (he designed the displays and the powder room) the boutique evolved into the classy spot it is now. In a comfortably stocked showroom, Paige happily caters to any woman in search of her perfect outfit, noting, “I carry size 00 to 3X. Shoes go from size 4 to 12. Every woman, small to large, deserves to feel beautiful.”

She recalled, “I wanted to design a boutique I would personally love to shop in – a beautiful, posh boutique filled with unique on-trend fashions and quality accessories at affordable prices.” In her boutique, prices range from $17 to $48 for a good dress. Much less than the original pricing of around $300 apiece!

There aren’t many jeans or pants on Park Avenue’s racks. Items offered range from skirts, dresses, and gowns, to shoes, purses, and jewelry. Working closely with over 100 trusted consigners, new things arrive weekly. Paige is ever watchful for the unique, the exciting, the classic, and the couturier labels.

Paige entered retail in her twenties, fondly reminiscing, “I loved it. I loved putting outfits together for the women.” From that experience, she learned to plan color schemes for her own window displays guiding the eye from one thing to the next. Jewelry is laid out fastidiously, by color, in glass showcases. Shoes sit unfettered on wall-mounted shelves, posed to highlight their best features.

She’s always had a flair for assembling a “look” and will work tirelessly to help a customer find her perfect outfit. That’s why her customer base continues to grow.

Additionally important to the success of her boutique is a deep understanding of her customers’ needs, beyond their desire for a great ensemble. Paige said, “Everyone’s included in here. Nobody’s left out. That limits your customer base and it makes women feel like they can’t come in here. They can!” She welcomes everyone with open arms.

Paige confided, “When we opened the boutique, I wanted it to be a place we could come to and get away. Sometimes it’s not about shopping, sometimes you just need to be heard.” Through quiet conversations, bonds are built.

She hosts special events for women to relax and savor some quiet time. “I held a jewelry party. Pennsylvania Fairy Hair is coming back. I host teachers’ events here. I have a golf day for ladies looking for golf skirts. I’m always thinking outside the box.”

Paige also offers a personal shopping service, which is hugely successful. She detailed, “I have a lot of personal shopper clients. I get to know them, their size, their shape, their tastes, exactly what they’re looking for. I don’t waste anyone’s time. When they return, everything is hanging on a post waiting for them, including jewelry, shoes, and handbag.” Some trust her creative eye so implicitly they don’t even try on the outfits, opting to simply take everything Paige found for them!

Paige expertly created a special shopping experience. Park Avenue Consignment Boutique is designed to be congenial and soothing – no loud music, no bright lights, displays are arranged for ease of movement and ease of viewing. She carefully wraps purchases in crisp white tissue paper and places them into a fresh logo-emblazoned bag, then ties the bag’s handles with colorful silky ribbons.

“When you meet a customer, it’s an honor, you want them to come back. I greet them, acknowledge them and get to know them a bit. They feel welcomed and valued. The shopping experience is really important to me.” She marvels at the friendships forged in her store.

Park Avenue Consignment Boutique is Christian-based. Paige walks through every morning – “I pray over the boutique. I pray over the display windows for favor. I pray for anyone who comes in and leaves to be blessed. I pray for anyone in the dressing room to find love in the mirror for themselves.” Uplifting axioms appear throughout the store. She also donates unsold merchandise to an organization helping women escape abusive situations.

Paige declared, “I’m here to help, to be of service to the woman, to assist in selecting a fabulous gown or simply something nice to wear,” reiterating her mantra, “Every woman deserves to feel beautiful.”

Park Avenue Consignment Boutique is located at 76 E. Washington Avenue (Route 57). To learn more call 908-848-0801, visit www.parkavecb.com or go to Facebook, www.facebook.com/parkavenueconsignmentboutique.