Interview with Sharon Jones, owner
Q: How did you get involved in this business?
A: I was a professional buyer for many years and lost out a manager position for Starbucks because, I was told, I was not able to follow the rules and restrictions of the corporate world. They, of course, were right! I started my first store in about 350 square feet in a subleased space in Seattle. It was called Gypsy Trader. Because of my access to great clothes and jewelry from my buying days, I cleaned out my own closet and opened up around 1993. In about nine months, I enlarged to 900 square feet and in about one year I enlarged to about 2,000 square feet and added furniture, art and knick knacks. After seven years I sold it to move to Colorado. I started in Old Town Arvada for about one year in 2001, but moved to Littleton in 2002 and opened my first location where Savory Spice is now. I then moved to where In Tea is now, then to Streets of Southglenn, then to Prince Street in Littleton. I outgrew it in two years and finally settled on Main Street.
Q: What distinguishes you from other businesses in your category?
A: Because of my years of buying clothing and jewelry, I started courting reps for their samples and boutiques for their backstock. For my customers, there is always fresh, in season and current stuff before the seasons even hit. Samples arrive all the time and I mix them in with the pre-owned that my consignors bring. In my store there is a colorful, ethnic blend of jewels, scarves and, above all, great handbags. I don’t require appointments. What makes me different than most are the samples and my ability to find unusual jewelry and accessories to match whatever is in your closet or to find that special gift.
Q: What do you like best about your line of work?
A: I am rarely bored. The change of seasons and the clothing colors are pretty exciting. Most of all, seeing what all of you have.
Q: What is your business’ biggest challenge?
A: I think the most difficult challenge for me is the online shopper. I do not have all of that figured out yet. As a buyer, I would have to see and feel whatever I chose for my stores and still do for my own store.
Q: Something people might be surprised to learn about you or your business:
A: I think most folks have no idea that I have been doing this for so long. I am not a real gypsy. A misguided guy called and told me about a gypsy woman he met and wondered if I knew her and if I could help him reach her — no joke! Or a women who came in and said that she would never buy anything from a gypsy.
Profile
Business: Gypsy Jones Consignment
Address: 2449 W. Main St., Littleton
Hours: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday (open daily during summer and holiday months)
Founded: April 2001
Contact: 303-424-3041
Employees: 1
