At 63 years old, Kastner opened Karen’s Closet in the Champion Forest Shopping Center in 2006. Now in her 14th year in business, Kastner has seven employees and nearly 3,000 consignors who stock her shop with women’s clothing, formalwear, shoes, jewelry and handbags.
“To me, it’s overwhelming to go into other stores because there’s so much to look through and everything ends up looking the same,” Kastner said. “Here, every piece is different.”
While the store’s inventory changes daily, items available range from Kendra Scott jewelry and Sherri Hill gowns to Kate Spade handbags and Tory Burch shoes—all in next-to-new condition. Kastner said while the majority of Karen’s Closet items are geared for women ages 30-60, the store also has a wide selection of prom and homecoming dresses.
“Some [consignment] stores will only take certain brands, but if it’s a cute outfit and we think it’s going to sell, we’ll take it,” Kastner said.
The store’s staff determines what price to market the items for, and consignors receive 40% of the item’s selling price. If an item does not sell, Kastner said Karen’s Closet either returns the item to the consignor upon request or donates the item.
“You can’t go to Wal-Mart and spend as little money there as you do here and get the quality that you get here,” Kastner said.
In addition to the “bang” customers are able to get for their buck at Karen’s Closet, Kastner said her staff’s emphasis on customer service puts them a notch above the rest.
“We give service like expensive stores,” she said. “When we give [customers] their package, we tie it together with a ribbon and do little things that make a difference.”
Karen’s Closet
16638 Champion Forest Drive, Spring
281-374-7476
www.karenscloset.homestead.com
Hours: Mon.-Wed. and Fri. 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Thu. 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Sat. 10 a.m.-4 p.m., closed Sun.
