Renee Drummond’s consignment store, Rhythm in Rye, is going on 5. But it’s wise for its years.
By Caitlin Brown
Rhythm in Rye
Renee Drummond’s consignment store, Rhythm in Rye, is going on 5. But it’s wise for its years.
Drummond, a lifetime Rye resident describes the store as a kind of evolution. It came out of a plan to help a friend who was out of work. The perfect location happened to be available, so Drummond jumped on it.
Next came the name. In the Eighties, the same location was home to a record store called “Rhythm in Rye.” She got the okay to recycle the name and use it for her store. Then came the idea. Drummond, a life coach, do-gooder, and environmentalist, was visiting a consignment store in North Carolina and thought, “That’s it, that’s what I’m going to do.”
Rhythm in Rye showcases vintage items from clothing to high-end bags, estate jewelry, furniture, and even a special section for art (her boyfriend is an artist) and they are displayed in a way that speaks to their past life, and the possibilities for their next. The shop has her stamp on it.
It’s not just about the business to her — it’s about the people, their stories.
Drummond’s life coaching background comes into play as her business helps people move on by recycling things for which they no longer have room or use. She often meets consignors/clients at their homes to help them cleanse themselves of “stuff,” while also talking to them and walking them through their tough times. She takes people seriously. She sees all in her store — the space, the people and the things in it — as being interconnected. It is not your typical consignment store for this reason.
That being said, it is a business, and one that continues to stand snuggled up at the north end of Purchase Street for a reason — people keep coming back — consigners and buyers alike. Rhythm in Rye is filled with little treasures waiting for a new home and Drummond sees herself as the facilitator.
Déjà vu
On Main Street in Port Chester is another consignment shop, Déjà vu, which is a good name for a purveyor of vintage fashions and accessories. The shop is conveniently located across from Occhicone, the miracle worker of all shoes, bags, and leather goods, where many vintage bags have been returned to life.
Walking into Déjà vu may seem intimidating at first, because the clothes are not arranged by size, but by category and color. You have to sift through to find a winner, but if you have the patience, you will discover something special. We found a wonderful men’s Burberry trench coat and a great Pringle women’s sweater for $15. The clothes are not necessarily the draw here; what brings customers back are the accessories from top-tier brands like Chanel, Louis Vuitton, and Hermès.
Owner Regina Murray says many of her customers are in the market to get rid of last year’s wares. “They want to upgrade, so they bring me their accessories, especially handbags.” She adds, “Then, there is the woman who wants the high-end labels on a tighter budget. She comes here to find it.”
Among our Déjà vu finds:
Chanel “Chain Me” bag, originally $4,400, in store for $980
Crocodile Hermes Kelly bag, originally $42,000, in store (great condition) for $11,500
Prada bag bought one year ago with the Neiman Marcus receipt still in pocket, originally $2,100, now $600.
And if it’s not in the store, Déjà vu keeps a “wish list.” When the merchandise is found, customers are alerted and given an option to put it on layaway. With a 30 percent down payment, the item is held for 30 days.