Pre-Loved Consignment Boutique - 2nd Hand Dealer License

Transcript (~7 min @ 1:25)

Speakers identified by voice; unnamed voices are numbered within this recording. Auto-caption text — verify against the video.

▶ 1:21 Devin Romanul: Our only item on our agenda tonight is item 1, 2 9 6 6, pre loved consignment, boutique, secondhand dealer license as, uh, please feel free to join us. Thank you so much for coming. Thank

▶ 1:37 Speaker 1: So I have something written about who I am and how long I've been in the community. Um, I also have some pictures of the boutique. So, good evening. Sorry. Good evening. Members of the board, thank you for the opportunity to speak tonight. As you may or may not know, I have been a local business owner in Melrose for the past 36 years. I first opened Salon International on August 1st, 1989 at my original location at the Greenwood Building in at 4 86 Main Street on the corner of Maine and West Emerson. In 1998, I purchased the property six West Emerson Street, also known as Dr. Emerson's Home. Built in 1856 and began the process of moving my business to its new home within two years. Salon International officially located there. I was so proud as a young woman and an immigrant at my time to be able to say, I am now living the American dream. I put my heart and soul into refu, refurbishing this old Victorian building that Dr. Emerson once owned, and Dr. Bissell, who lived there and operated his dental practice. And from painting to decorating even the special roof color I selected, it was more than just a business move. It became a place where I could live work while raising my daughter as a single mother and a wonderful open and loving community. After reaching a pivotal moment in my career, I found myself reflecting on the many paths available to me as a licensed cosmetology instructor. I could have chosen to teach as a licensed real estate agent. I also had another avenue to explore. Yet my heart has always been drawn to fashion, a long life passion that continues to inspire me. For over 36 years, I have been deeply committed to run my salon, build long lasting relationships, and serving my community. Now I'm thrilled to embark on a new chapter, open a boutique that reflects my love for style and self-expression. This space will be more than just a store. It will hopefully be a place where people can discover fashion that empowers them to feel confident, authentic, and seen. The idea of launching a boutique has always been a dream of mine, especially since the, the closure of Madison Ave at 5 31 Main Street and 2023, a beloved consignment shop here in Melrose. Encouraged by my family and long life clients, I'm proud to bring the vision to life and contribute to the vibrant, I'm sorry, English is my second language, vibrant local rental seat. Seems also a little nervous. I am excited to be, I'm excited to be the third to the third thrift in consignment store at Melrose. Joining Apple of my eye at 3 77 Franklin Street, who caters to children zero to 14 and the Trinity Parish thrift shop at 1 31 West Emerson Street, who also offers, offers, clothes, shoes, and gift wears and more has a woman owned an immigrant owned business. My boutique is rooted in values to exclusively sub, sorry, exclusivity and substantially and community care. Beyond offering affordable, thoughtful, cultured fashion, I hope to create a welcoming environment where women can connect, I feel supported, express themselves freely in alignment with this mission. I will be donating surplus clothes to organizations such as Dress for Success in Boston, who help women to women are domestic violence, achieve economic independent as well as Big Brothers Big Sisters given back in a way that is deeply meaningful to me, reflecting my commitment to ensure nothing goes to waste. I believe this boutique will not only be offering substantial budget friendly shopping options, but also serve as a positive force in Melrose strengthening community ties, celebrating with city spirits, diversity, creativity, and connections. I'm truly excited what lies ahead and look forward to contributing to the community in a way that feels both prosperous and meaningful. Thank you for your time. And I have some pictures if you

▶ 5:44 Speaker 1: want pass these along.

▶ 5:49 Speaker 2: Thank you so much. Thank you.

▶ 5:52 Devin Romanul: Um, I You want me to Oh, no, please have a seat. Um, you may have some, there may be some questions from the committee. Um, oh, oh, it's all right. You did a fantastic job. Sorry. Thank you, uh, councilor for Norms. Thank

▶ 6:06 Speaker 1: Um, so you're staying in the same location that you've been in since 1986, or is that right? So I I, the salon officially opened in this location 25 and a half years ago. Okay. Yes. So I live there. Blue house. It's the blue house on, yes. Okay. I live upstairs with my daughter. Okay. And yeah, I remember doing a hair salon and, um, okay, great. So it's gonna be sort of like a Madison Fve type thing. A consignment, um, consignment boutique. Right. I do the hair salon. I, unfortunately, I had some health issues this year. This is why I'm doing this. I got lung disease from being in the industry for 43 years. So I said to my daughter, well, we got the space. Let's see what we can do with it. Yeah. So, sounds exciting. I'm looking forward to it. I was just saying I miss, you know, uh, adult consignment shop in Melrose. So In affordable, Exactly. Affordable is, is what I'm looking for. Great. Welcome. Oh, thank you.

▶ 6:58 Ryan Williams: Councillor Williams. I just wanna check, there's no voting members that wanted to go ahead of me. Okay. Um, I just wanted to say thank you for coming in. Um, Ms. Uh, Nora. Nora. Nora and I had a chance to meet a couple days ago, actually, because my daughter is a huge fan of the consignment shop. Uh, and went in there and got an early peek at some of the wares, and she has asked me to go back several times and everything that she said about, you know, community connections and safe spaces is all true. And we felt it very much when we went into the, to the building. So just wanted to throw that out there. You, and it's, it's a pleasure to see both of you here again today. Thank you.

▶ 7:34 Speaker 1: Thank you. Any other

▶ 7:36 Devin Romanul: counselors have any other questions? Councilor Ro I

▶ 7:39 Cal Finocchiaro: Was just gonna make a motion to recommend second

▶ 7:41 Devin Romanul: Councilor Fiocchi make a motion, motion to recommend, uh, councilor Repay with a second

▶ 7:49 Devin Romanul: on, uh, on discussion. All those in favor? Aye. Aye. All those opposed? Alright. The ayes have it. Thank you so much. Thank you for investing in our community and for your presentation. And thank you to the clerk for having, for, uh, putting together all of the materials. So I appreciate all involved. Okay. Thank You. Alright,

▶ 8:05 Speaker 3: bye luck. Thank you.