Cedar Park resale boutique sells clothes, shoes

Christy Lee thinks she knows what women want and titled her consignment boutique in Cedar Park accordingly.

Celebrating its first anniversary in November, What Women Want now offers more clothing, shoes, accessories and jewelry than it did a year ago.

"My first and second week open, I had about three racks. It was really sad," Lee said. "I collected for about six months or a year, and it looked like a lot until I put it in the store. But you just have to start with what you've got, and I did, and it didn't take long at all."

Within a few months, more consignors started bringing in gently used women's items to add to Lee's collection that spans the globe. When deciding what goes on the racks, Lee said she remembers that shoppers are looking for value, quality and name brands.

"I handpick everything. I look for name brands, something you would find in a department store, some higher-end items, and then I also look for unique and vintage," she said. "I am very careful and don't take anything stained or torn. Everything goes out pressed, and it's in good condition."

The boutique offers high-end Gucci and Prada items, but Lee said her best sellers are brands such as Ann Taylor, Coldwater Creek and Chico's. During the past year, she has learned to better identify the types of clothes and accessories her shoppers prefer, she said.

"When I first opened, I picked what I liked. But I found out that things I like that I thought might fly off the floor are still here," she said. "But I have everyone from parents shopping for their 13-year-olds to grandmas. So I try to have something for everybody in all sizes and keep a variety."

With more than 600 consignors, Lee can put new merchandise on the shelf daily. Very few pieces stay on the shelf for longer than 60 days, even if it means major price markdowns, she said.

"I'd rather sell something for $5 than have it sit on the rack for that long. The whole point of it is to get a really high-quality piece of clothing for a good price, and if you pay close to what you pay in the mall, what's the point?" she said. "I donate whatever doesn't sell unless [the consignors] come and pick it up, usually to Hill Country Bible [Church] or another ministry. I give it to somebody who directly gives it back to the community."

What Women Want, 600 S. Bell Blvd., Ste. 18, Cedar Park, 512-331-0767, www.whatwomenwantboutique.com