EDMOND —
Opening a consignment store was a seamless step for Kathy Burleson, self-proclaimed collector and owner of Elephant Trunk, Edmond’s newest upscale resale shop.
“I love a bargain,” Burleson said, and she doesn’t mind traveling to find one.
When she would visit her daughters in Texas they would go to consignment stores that carried high-end, unique furnishings priced at 20 cents on the dollar.
“It was fun and so much smarter than paying the full price on an item,” Burleson added.
Burleson grew up in Oklahoma City, married and moved to Tulsa for the greatest part of her adult life, but has lived in Edmond for the past 19 years.
When she and her husband, Albert, purchased their 3-story home in Tulsa she had a lot of space to fill with furniture and home decor items. She spent a little more than a year traveling and buying furniture for her new home. Built in 1907, the 32-room, 19,000-square-foot home was idyllic for a collector.
Complete with a basement and attic, she had plenty of rooms to fill with items she had purchased in her shopping travels.
When they moved to Edmond and had to down-size, she helped her three children furnish their homes, but she still had more items than she could use.
After talking about opening a store for a few years with her family and friends, Burleson decided it was time to take the step.
With no lack of resources for home decor items, Burleson also has a large base of friends to draw from for clients.
“In addition to things I have that I have decided to sell and things my friends have consigned, I love going to estate sales,” she said.
“I have friends who want to replace their furniture with something new and of good quality, others are down-sizing and there are young couples who want to furnish their apartments or homes with quality items.”
Her employee has more than 30 years experience in retail.
“I met Carol Baker at Henderson Hills Baptist Church where we both attend and we became friends,” Burleson said. “With Carol’s 30 years experience selling nice retail furniture, I approached her with my idea and we decided to try it.”
She and her husband were in business for themselves building motels throughout the United States before slowing down their pace. Albert now owns Southern Roofing and Construction doing business locally.
“I volunteered once for a local nonprofit and I got fired for cleaning the director’s office too thoroughly,” Burleson said, laughing. It was then she decided it was best to be her own boss.
“I collected items for about four months,” Burleson said, “so I would be sure to have plenty of items on hand when I opened.”
Elephant Trunk has free pickup and items stay on the floor for 90 days.
The consignment fee is 50 percent of what the item sells for, and if the item doesn’t sell the owner may pick it up or leave it and the price is reduced.
Located at 610 S. Kelly, Elephant Trunk is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday. For furniture pickup for consignment, call 247-0413.
Business
New consignment shop opens in Edmond
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