By Tim Callahan
Like many people in these sad economic times, Jode Gammon has had to create her own job by starting a business.
But, she is using the bad to create the good, offering to sell clothes on consignment, and show people that they have a way to make money right in their closet.
“Women have no idea what a treasure trove is in their own closet,” she said.
She is also using her business, Castaway’s Consignment & Resale, as a platform. No customer gets out the door without her saying, “Thank you for shopping small.”
After moving from her homestate of New Jersey 11 years ago, Gammon said she wants to give back to a community that has been good for her.
“”I want to encourage the community to jump start back up,” she said. “There are too many ghosts, businesses that are here and gone. Our people are not supporting one another. I want to patronize local businesses. I want to give them my money.”
Gammon said, “There is a need for this business. The economy is what it is, but women still need to feel good about themselves. They can get quality merchandise here at an affordable price, and they can empty their closets and get checks.”
Gammon said she takes quality goods only for 60 days because “I work to get them out the door, and people need to get a check now – not later.”
Her 1,400 square foot store is where Sun Video used to be in the Food Lion Shopping Center off Bypass 17 in Murrells Inlet.
“People say I should ask that the newspaper boxes out front be moved because they are blocking my store,” she said. “I tell them, ‘Are you crazy, people actually get out of their cars right in front of my business.’”
She opened up in December and already has a nice selection of jewelry, shoes, purses and ladies casual, business and formal wear. She has two dressing rooms in back.
She takes major credit cards and all sales are final. She does a 50/50 split on consignment.
“We have something for everyone in here,” she said, “and our inventory will grow.”
Gammon said she was in the limousine business in Manhattan for 25 years. She has two sons, both college graduates, both in New Jersey. One is an electrical contractor and the other is in construction.
(Castaway’s Consignment & Resale is located at 758 B Mink Avenue, on 17 Bypass South near Route 707. The phone number is 843-808-1384.)
