Neverending sale: North Shore store discounts high-end merchandise from nearby boutiques

Sarah Eck browses through a rack of shorts at The Local Clothes-Out.

Shoppers love a sale.

So it makes sense they'd love a store where every piece of merchandise is always on sale, right?

North Shore business owner Alison Songer banked on it. That's why she came up with the idea to open The Local Clothes-Out discount store, where every item is always marked down -- typically between 50 to 75 percent off the original price.

Located on Frazier Avenue next to Songer's n2 Shoes, Clothes-Out is an upscale co-operative stocked with sale merchandise from four nearby shops -- n2, clothing boutiques Frankie & Julian's and K: A Boutique by Katherine Roberts and pottery/gift items shop Plum Nelly, all located on the North Shore.

"I just asked them (the stores' owners) what they did with their leftover seasonal goods," Songer says. "I thought it would be nice to have a place to sell these sale items all the time. The space was available, and I thought it was worth a shot.

The Local Clothes-Out opened in October on Frazier Avenue, selling past season and one-off merchandise from nearby stores.

"Clothes-Out is my take on a local version of a TJ Maxx-like store, especially since we (the stores) offer everything from clothing to shoes, jewelry, house goods, gift items and more."

The focus of Clothes-Out is quality merchandise at a reduced cost, Songer says.

"My price point is from mid- to high-end, and I know that not everyone can afford to shop in my store," Songer says. "But in the new store, where everything is marked down considerably, there's something for most everyone's budget."

Brittney Davidson, who calls herself a "clearance shopper," was in the store on Thursday.

"I stumbled across it," says Davidson, who was Christmas shopping in North Shore. "I normally shop at n2 shoes, and I walked past it. I wanted to buy some local things for my family.

Discount shopper Brittney Davidson pulls a shirt from the rack to have a closer look at The Local Clothes-Out.

"I love that I don't have to go to every single store to find things on clearance. I'm a big clearance shopper and to have it all in one place is definitely something you're going to come back to. It's always changing," she says. "All this stuff is always going to be new and different, and it's always at a good deal."

Songer says she's hoping a couple more stores will participate in Clothes-Out, particularly ones that stock kitchen and gift items.

Suzanne West, owner of Frankie & Julian's, located down the street from the new discount store, is pleased with the public's positive response to Clothes-Out, which opened in October.

"At first, Alison proposed it as a 'pop-up store,' which is a store that temporarily occupies a location until a new business moves in," West says. "So we all signed on until January. But because it has been doing so well, we're going to stick with it and see what happens.

West says each business owner pays rent on the Clothes-Out space, and they split the cost of operations, which includes two employees.

"We're all making money," she "We each do our part to keep the business going. My mother helps with the books, for example. We split all the costs. And, we're always putting merchandise in the store.

"Alison had a great idea, and it's a win-win situation for everyone -- the shopper and us."

West says the most of the items she sends to Clothes-Out are from the fashion season just past. Songer says she also moves seasonal items into the new store, but she'll also use it for such things as a style of shoes that she has only in one size.

"If I have it in just one size, people will ask me if I have more sizes or if I can order more," she says. "Typically, I can't order more, so it's easier to put it in Clothes-Out."

Presently, the store is open Thursday through Saturday from 12:30-6:30 p.m., but "that may change soon," West says. "We're discussing opening at least one more day each week."

Contact Karen Nazor Hill at khill@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6396.