Interview with Denis Ouellette; wife, Suzie; and daughter, Camille, owners
Q: How did you get involved in this business?
A: The idea initially came to us through a friend who thought Suzie would be good at this business. After exploring consignment furniture stores throughout the U.S., we decided to create a hybrid of gently used good quality consignment furniture and, using Suzie’s great design eye, we would purchase all the home accessories for the store.
Q: What distinguishes you from other businesses in your category?
A: Consignment stores are all created different. Many people think of consignment stores as thrift stores. Thrift stores do serve a purpose, but we are not a thrift store. We have furniture and home accessories that fit every budget and style but we are very particular about the furniture we bring into the store. We reject about 40 percent of the furniture people might like to consign with us and suggest other stores that might be a better fit. We also stock the store with brand new affordable home accessories like lamps, mirrors, clocks, pottery, floral and art work.
Q: What do you like best about your line of work?
A: We love our business for a couple of reasons. First, because we are a consignment store, we are only as good as our customers and the items they bring us, and we have great customers. The store changes every day, every day is an adventure for our customers, employees and us. We also love seeing the smile on peoples’ faces when a customer finds that perfect piece that meets their needs and at a price that’s affordable.
Q: What is your business’ biggest challenge?
A: One important challenge is keeping up with current trends. Our customers come to us because they expect us to have current, clean, gently used and, in many cases, name-brand furniture. We attend major home accessory shows in Atlanta, Dallas and Las Vegas and buy the accessories and art that really add punch to the store. Our customers tell us we have the best selection of accessories in Denver. Another big challenge is people’s perception of consignment stores. That challenge is dealt with head-on once someone enters our store, as evidenced that we just won the 5280 Magazine Top of the Town 2015 Best Consignment Store “Readers’ Choice.”
Q: Something people might be surprised to learn about you or your business:
A: Design Repeats is a family- owned business that moved in 2009 in the heart of the recession from a 3,600-square-foot space in Evergreen and now occupies a 14,000-square-foot showroom in Centennial. Over the past 12 years, we have paid out more than $5 million to our consignors. In addition, we have proudly been able to contribute a substantial amount of furniture to various nonprofit organizations and other needy families throughout the Denver area.
Profile
Business: Design Repeats
Address: 8200 S. Colorado Blvd., Centennial
Hours: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday through Friday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, noon-4 p.m. Sunday
Founded: 2003
Contact: 303-670-2900,
Employees: 9
