Tucked amongst the shops in downtown Clifton Forge is a quaint, upscale consignment store called Livy’s Closet. The store is run by Jenny Oeltjen who speaks with an incredible passion for her business.
Oeltjen moved to the area approximately nine years ago. She reminisced on her fear of struggling to find work due to her age. However, an idea struck her after taking a day trip with some girlfriends.
She said, “So I went on a day trip with some girlfriends down to Roanoke, and we went through some thrift stores, Goodwill stores, consignment stores, and I thought this might be kind of a fun thing to do here in Clifton Forge. So, when I came back, I came up with the idea in March to do something like this, went online and did a little bit of studying about how consignment stores work, and on July 1 [of the same year], I opened Livy’s Closet.”
The store boasts more than 600 individual consigners. According to Oeltjen, she has a multitude of local consigners, but some live a considerable distance away. She noted that she has some consigners from as far away as Indiana and Arkansas.
Although there are many facets to running a successful consignment shop, Oeltjen said her favorite part is her customers.
She said, “My customers are the best people on earth. And I’ve learned so much. Not growing up here, I didn’t know a whole lot about the mountains. I’ve come to know a lot about them, a lot about railroad towns, and just how it is to live out here in Virginia. I grew up where the land is so flat you can watch your dog run away from home all day long. Out here, it’s a lot different, and the customers are always so great to share their stories and stuff with me. The best part of my job is my customers.”
Oeltjen noted that she has considered closing the store on more than one occasion. However, she continues to put it off because her customers and staunch supporters beg her not to. She assures everyone that she signed a new lease and will continue running the store at least as long as the lease.
Livy’s Closet carries a wide selection of items including clothing, housewares, quality candles and much more. Oeltjen said it is vital for shoppers to keep in mind that inventory is constantly changing.
She noted a gift she received that says, “what you’ve seen here today and think about tonight, somebody saw yesterday and thought about it last night.” This saying refers to the constantly changing nature of consignment shops. Items are often unique and have the potential to sell at any time. Oeltjen reminisced about a time it happened to her.
“We had a set of bookends here one time, and I just loved those little bookends. I love to look at them. I always give myself at least two weeks. If something comes in that I really like, I let it sit on the shelf for two weeks before I touch it, and I was getting ready to buy those bookends, and I came in one morning, opened up the store, and voila, a lady came in and bought them. My heart sank,” she said.
Livy’s Closet is open Tuesday through Friday, 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m., and on Saturday from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. The shop is located at 507 E Ridgeway Street in Clifton Forge.
In addition to all of the store’s normal wares, postcards to support Ukraine are now available. All proceeds from the cards go to Samaritan’s Purse.
For more information, call the store at 540-865-0373. You can also visit the website at livysclosetcliftonforge.com. Livy’s Closet also has an active Facebook page.
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