Earl and Edith West of Montclair, New Jersey, owners and operators of
the celebrated local consignment shop Treasure Island Consignment, are
calling it quits after 25 years of business.
The couple opened the shop in 1975 in a small storefront on Walnut St. They sold mostly clothing, as well as home goods and novelties. The shop quickly became a hit in the community.
“It was so nice because we lived right there on the same street. Edith and I could walk over in the mornings and open up the shop,” said Earl.
“They’re very kind to their customers,” said Cassandra Newsome, a regular customer since the shop opened. “I think that’s what kept people coming, not to mention Edith has a great designer’s sense. She knows what to display and how to display it.”
After just five years, the couple hired a small staff and moved the consignment shop to a larger location in the South End business park. “We had a big showroom and a lot more storage in back. We were getting large consignments all the time so it was a blessing to have all that room,” said Edith.
Snowball, the porcelain figurine of an elephant that originally stood atop the Walnut St. location’s awning, made the move as well. “He was our first employee,” said Edith. He has continued
The couple opened the shop in 1975 in a small storefront on Walnut St. They sold mostly clothing, as well as home goods and novelties. The shop quickly became a hit in the community.
“It was so nice because we lived right there on the same street. Edith and I could walk over in the mornings and open up the shop,” said Earl.
“They’re very kind to their customers,” said Cassandra Newsome, a regular customer since the shop opened. “I think that’s what kept people coming, not to mention Edith has a great designer’s sense. She knows what to display and how to display it.”
After just five years, the couple hired a small staff and moved the consignment shop to a larger location in the South End business park. “We had a big showroom and a lot more storage in back. We were getting large consignments all the time so it was a blessing to have all that room,” said Edith.
Snowball, the porcelain figurine of an elephant that originally stood atop the Walnut St. location’s awning, made the move as well. “He was our first employee,” said Edith. He has continued
greeting
customers from the inside of the store’s plate glass façade ever
since.
The main factor in the Wests’ decision to close up shop is increasing costs. “Lots of bigger businesses are moving in,” said Earl. “When we first moved to the new location, the business park was nearly empty so it was very cost-effective. Now they’re raising the rent and we just can’t keep up.” Among the new businesses moving in are Chemix-Solutions, a research and development lab, and Blume Systems, a security systems contractor.
The Wests are not the only small business owners affected by the changes. Naylor & Son LLC, a plumbing contractor located in the same building as the consignment shop, is having a similar experience. “The game’s just changing around right now,” said owner and operator Thomas Naylor, “and a lot of people are unhappy about it.” Naylor expects to move to a new location within three months.
The Wests will remain open for business until the end of this month. When asked what their next step will be, Earl replied “retirement,” with a laugh. “We just want to thank everyone in the community for so many years of good business and friendship.” Though no one is certain what comes next, the Wests’ good-humored outlook holds a note of hope for the future.
The main factor in the Wests’ decision to close up shop is increasing costs. “Lots of bigger businesses are moving in,” said Earl. “When we first moved to the new location, the business park was nearly empty so it was very cost-effective. Now they’re raising the rent and we just can’t keep up.” Among the new businesses moving in are Chemix-Solutions, a research and development lab, and Blume Systems, a security systems contractor.
The Wests are not the only small business owners affected by the changes. Naylor & Son LLC, a plumbing contractor located in the same building as the consignment shop, is having a similar experience. “The game’s just changing around right now,” said owner and operator Thomas Naylor, “and a lot of people are unhappy about it.” Naylor expects to move to a new location within three months.
The Wests will remain open for business until the end of this month. When asked what their next step will be, Earl replied “retirement,” with a laugh. “We just want to thank everyone in the community for so many years of good business and friendship.” Though no one is certain what comes next, the Wests’ good-humored outlook holds a note of hope for the future.