The country's economic downturn has benefited consignment store owners like Lisa Roddam of Jordan's Closet on Granard Street. The store is attracting more customers looking for quality items at reasonable prices. (Ledger photos / JOE L. HUGHES II) As America digs its way out of its current recession, consumers continue their pursuit of the bargains.

Once struggling to get customers to walk through their doors, consignment shops are now benefiting from the nation's economic downturn. Offering customers designer clothes and other items at reasonable prices, the shops are seeing a steady increase in visitors.

"In today's economy people are looking for ways to save," said Jordan's Closet owner Lisa Roddam. "If that's what they're looking for, then consignment shops are the way to go, because you'll get what you're looking for at an affordable price."

Consignment shops normally have an assortment of clothing and household items for men, women and children, with some also offering jewelry and furniture.

The shops have sometimes received a bad rap because their goods are previously owned, but lately that stereotype has become more and more faded.

Clothing items and housewares, once primarily purchased at retail stores, are now flying off racks and shelves at consignment shops. "People's opinions about consignment

shops has changed due to the current economic situation," Roddam said. "All of us are having to save, with some of them having no choice because they are out of work. In some cases, consignment shops are their only way of getting certain items they need at prices they can afford."

Jordan's Closet, which opened last year, began as a collection of clothes Roddam was selling that were once owned by Roddam's youngest daughter, Jordan. However, since that time the store's collection of clothes, housewares and other items has grown immensely, to the point where Roddam at one point had to stop accepting goods because there was no more storage space in her Granard Street location.

That doesn't mean customers are not visiting the store and purchasing items, many of whom Roddam had not seen previously.

"It's amazing that we've been around for one year and still get new people each day," Roddam said.

Tammy Hoilo, owner of Deja Vu Consignments on Cherokee Avenue, has noticed a similar trend at her store.

"A lot more people are coming by and shopping with us," Hoilo said. "People are coming in and surprised at what they are finding."

According to Hoilo, the difference is seen primarily in items such as name-brand clothing from the likes of Aeropostale, American Eagle, Ralph Lauren and others that can cost consumers up to $100 for an outfit at shopping malls and outlets. At the local store, customers can often find the same brands and types of clothing items for about $20.

"The same items you may spend a lot of money on at a shopping mall may cost no more than $15 to $20 at a consignment shop, a real bargain," Hoilo said. "And we have a nice selection, as we're picky about what is put on our shelves. We make sure customers are not searching through junk."

In addition, several Cherokee County consignment stores have joined together in an effort to help each other out, publishing a consignment shopper guide.

"Customers come to us hoping we have what they're looking for," Roddam said. "If I don't have it, I have no problem sending them to one of the shops on the list that does. Customers notice simple acts like that, and will keep you in mind when it's time to shop again."

In these times where families are choosing to go the conservative route, Hoilo said its unlikely business will drop off anytime soon for consignment shops.

"A lot of people are coming to us during these hard times and seeing exactly what we have," Hoilo said. "The stuff we carry is the same things they would see at a mall, in that we're selling name-brand items.

"Many of them for whatever reason were probably scared to come in previously. Now that they have been in, I think they'll continue to visit and check out what deals we may have in store."