Rachel Powell, manager of Greene Street Consignment, shares tips on affordable fashion
WOMEN love to shop. That’s not a sexist statement, it’s the truth. Okay, so maybe it is a broad generalization, and a particularly bad case of stereotyping, but I think we could all agree that it is mostly true. Which is why places like Greene Street Consignment are so great. They offer women the chance to shop, get fashionable and seasonally appropropriate clothes, and not break the bank. This month we caught up with the manager of of Greene Street’s store on Market Street, Rachel Powell, after district manager Casey Drucquer nominated her as employee of the month.
Name: Rachel Powell
Age: 27
Hometown: Downingtown
You still live there? Yes
How does it make you feel to have been nominated as employee of the month? Really proud.
That’s all you have to say? I’m nervous, sorry.
Don’t be. This is not a very serious interview. How long have you worked here? I have been here since January.
So you were hired as a manager? No. I was hired as a sales associate, then I was promoted twice since then up to store manager.
Have you had any other jobs? Not in West Chester. I worked at Vanguard and was a phone associate in the 401k department.
Sounds glamorous. It wasn’t.
So, what do you think qualified you as employee of the month? I’m dedicated to this job, and I treat everyone with respect. I like to get to know all of our customers on a name basis, and I try to remember what it is they are looking for so I can have it for them when them come in again. Plus, I went to school for management, but I really hated being being in that corporate environment at Vanguard, so I really love doing this.
What is the most commonly sold item here? I would have to say dresses.
Formal dresses? No, casual mostly.
How about now as the season is changing? I think jackets are really hot right now, and people are buying a lot of scarves.
How would you describe the clothes you carry here? We have a diverse mix of professional and casual – something for everyone. Our target age range is really anyone from college up into middle age.
What item of clothing do women spend the most on? Purses. Handbags.
And you have a lot of them here? Yes. We have a great selection, and while you can’t tell the bags have been used before, you can expect to pay about 60% less than you would for brand new.
Have you ever caught someone stealing? No.
So nobody steals from Greene Street? No, things have gone missing, so it is a disappointment not to have noticed it.
If you’re not shopping at Greene Street, where do you shop? At Plato’s Closet, Goodwill, Anthropologie and Free People.
What percentage of your paycheck would you say you give back to the store right away as you buy things for yourself? About 20%, but it is a necessary investment. It is very important when you work here that you look good and make a good impression.
Because no one wants to buy clothes from someone who looks like they can’t dress themselves. Exactly.
