From Boring to Boutique

Things went really quickly from there. I don’t know if I’m always so impulsive, but this whole endeavor was clearly bashert. Someone texted me about an available location on Nostrand Avenue in Brooklyn, and we went down to see it. It was a boring dental office, but I could see it had so much potential, and I signed the lease on the spot.

The place needed a paint job and some decor. My assistant Debra and I sat there hole-punching curtains to hang on rods as dressing room doors! We transformed the place practically overnight — and a boutique was born.

How It Works

We have different drop-off locations in Monsey, the Five Towns, and other neighborhoods, but most of the items are brought to our Brooklyn storefront. Customers will find Louboutins, Prada sunglasses, Chanel slides, Jimmy Choo pieces, Valentinos, Missoni dresses, and more.

I accept quality items in good condition that I think will sell — things that are current or classic. To set the prices, I calculate what it costs new, how old it is, and what condition it’s in. I also do some Googling to see what it’s selling for elsewhere. We have a huge range of prices.

At the end of each month, sellers come in to get their money; we give them half of the profits, and we give the other 50 percent to tzedakah. We post on social media, asking where people think the money should go.

Last month, we wrote out checks for $20,000 to organizations like Bonei Olam, Tikva for Ukraine War Relief, Hatzalah, Tomchei Shabbos, and Misaskim. Our newest development is to pick a single cause each month, and donate all the proceeds to them. This allows me to give a tax-deductible receipt to the sellers.

Recently I was in Miami for two days on a whirlwind trip, and a woman reached out to say she wants to donate items l’illui nishmas her father. I told her I understood her; I felt her pain. When I flew back to New York, I had a suitcase filled with her shoes to sell.

Here Comes the Bride

Usually we carry things like jackets, bags, shoes, etc. But this month we did a bridal gown pop-up shop, with all proceeds going toward Simchas Mayer, the fund set up in memory of Mayer Weiss, a young man who passed away mere months after his wedding. My son was good friends with Mayer and my daughter is married to a relative of his. He was a special neshamah who got great pleasure from the mitzvah of hachnassas kallah.

The gowns we received are spectacular, spanning from off the rack to exclusive designer, including Monique Lhuillier, Oscar de la Renta, Vera Wang, and Gemy Maalouf among others, ranging from around $1,000 to $15,000 pieces. Most people donate with the give, get, give model, but every now and then we’ll have someone say, “It was really just sitting in my closet, please, give all proceeds to tzedakah.” Am Yisrael is truly special.

In just one week we raised $15,000 for Simchas Mayer; that money will be used to help chassanim and kallahs with the basic wedding necessities that so many of us take for granted. A sale like that reminds me of how easy — and fulfilling — it is to make a difference.

My Dream

I know so many people who are ill and in need of yeshuos, may Hashem send them soon!

What’s in My Purse

Wallet, sunglasses, cell phone. I love to shop, but I’m a minimalist at heart. No lip gloss or extras in my bag!

Do It Yourself

To someone thinking of opening their own Give, Get, Give, I’d say go for it! The market’s perfect now for vintage shopping and it’s such a wonderful way to give tzedakah.

(Originally featured in Family First, Issue 790)