Chris Johnson is an inveterate second-hand store shopper. She can tell you which Bay Area shop carries what kind of merchandise and who will accept certain items and who won’t. She honed her consignment and thrift store skills during her years as a business planner, overseeing the ordering, inventory planning and financial projections for one of the best-known retailers in the world, Levi Strauss & Co.
Happy with her job, Johnson nonetheless harbored a desire to be on the other side of the counter in those irresistible consignment shops. In 1999, she moved to Sonoma, commuting to Levi Plaza in San Francisco.
“I loved the small-town feel of Sonoma, but I was disappointed that there was so little in the way of consignment stores here. I still had to go to Marin and the East Bay to shop.”
In December 2006, she accepted early retirement and committed to her dream. Serendipitously, a rental location opened up in Sonoma that she felt was perfect, and with that, she was launched into the second-hand world, this time as an owner. She spent the next few months redoing the space and methodically gathering as much practical information as possible about running the business.
Johnson admits that one of the hardest things was coming up with a name; it even interfered with developing a concept for the store. But one day the idea of Sisters came to mind.
“I knew that was it,” she said, “and then everything seemed to fall into place.”
Sisters opened at the end of March and soon was filled with savvy shoppers looking for a great piece of clothing at a great price — many of whom also wanted to sell what they already had.
“A lot of women are bringing in clothes because they want a new wardrobe but couldn’t justify having a closet full of clothes and buying new things too,” Johnson said.
The shop features a variety of clothing in a range of styles and price points. Bouncy summer skirts and tops, a spectrum of pants (but no Levis yet), scarves, handbags, shoes and higher-end designer pieces and evening wear are displayed around the store, which has a nice, open feel. The space has a mezzanine and room in the back to expand when the business requires it.
Sisters also carries some new items such as handmade jewelry fashioned from gems and minerals by local artist Maria Pirugruber. Johnson’s sisters have contributed as well; the walls are hung with their colorful original art.
The merchandise will evolve over time, said Johnson, who expects her customers to “teach her” about what they are most interested in acquiring.
“Everyone gives you a little piece of the picture,” she said. “When you put that together with your own instincts, you’ve got a great model for a business.”
So if you’re looking for that Prada bag at Guess prices, now you don’t have to leave town to find gently used and affordable fashion.
Sisters is at 120 W. Napa St., Sonoma; 707.933.8422. Hours: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Wed.-Sun.
Consignment policy: Clothing must be clean and on hangers. Pricing: Approximately 50 percent off retail. Profit split: 40 percent customer, 60 percent shop. Call for further details.
