Breathing New Life at Another Blue Moon Consignment

Breathing New Life at Another Blue Moon Consignment

By Linda Roberts

"I love the idea that we’re providing new life for our consignors’ items,” said Kerry Dale, who, with her business partner Jennifer Andrews, operate Another Blue Moon, a unique consignment shop in Middleburg.

Speaking of “going to the shop,” rather than “going to work,” the two women have crafted a delightfully different type of store that features high-end furniture, antiques, art and accessories. The shop has proven itself an enjoyable endeavor for the partners who have been friends for more than thirty years.

Another Blue Moon partners Jennifer Andrews and Kerry Dale find that upholstered pieces are popular for consignment and resale.

Photo by Linda Roberts

After beginning several years ago as a pop-up shop with six partners, three partners formed the permanent business. Former partner Jimmie Emmett continues to contribute. “He was instrumental in our growth and is one of the most talented and knowledgeable people around.” Dale said.

Business is brisk on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at their upscale home goods boutique at 7A West Washington Street. When they’re not in the shop, Dale and Andrews are found meeting with prospective clients to look over items intended for consignment or at the barn where they store overage from the shop.

They have found the business atmosphere in town to be “really friendly” and referrals come in frequently from other local merchants as well as from realtors. Word of mouth is high on their list to bring in new clients and Instagram is also a popular vehicle to promote Another Blue Moon.

“Our challenge is to pair things,” said Andrews, looking around the shop at lamps and accessories that have been paired with furniture to display each piece to its best advantage. Shoppers come back to find a specific piece and, thinking its been sold, Andrews and Dale will quickly point out it was just moved to a different location to blend in better with its surroundings.

That’s the challenge and the fun of the business according to the partners, “making things fit together when you think perhaps it wouldn’t work.” Another challenge: getting a fair price for the consignor, while at the same time presenting a reasonable price for the prospective buyer.

A visitor to the shop on a recent balmy Saturday morning found quality pieces, lamps, rugs, mirrors, draperies, artwork, china and jewelry, to name a few categories, as well as any number of pieces that qualify as accessories, including a lovely selection of Hungarian made Herend china figurines in a glass showcase.

Upholstered furniture is quite popular now, and the partners say that young people are looking for classical lines and moving toward the “warm and cozy” trend in decorating.

“It’s a joy to help people repurpose their furniture,” said Andrews, who supports her buyers in finding the right piece for their home. “These pieces all have a story—they had a life before,” she adds, speaking of a secretary sold at the store that once belonged to a former First Lady.

“We love that we are supporting an environmentally friendly trend--reuse, reduce, recycle,” said Kerry Dale. “A new life for items that have a lot of life left in them.”

Another Blue Moon is open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, and Monday through Wednesday by appointment. More information is available on Instagram and Facebook.