A stylist from South Carolina is opening up a unique boutique in Rockingham, and she’s gearing it towards kids.
Amber and Chad Marcengill of Clemson, S.C., have relocated to Richmond County after Chad, who works for Duke Energy, got a new position with Progress Energy at the Sherwood H. Smith Jr. Energy Complex.
“I decided I didn’t want to work for anyone but myself,” said Amber. “You could call it the American Dream.”
Amber is fixing up what used to be the skate shop on South Hancock Street. She is making the store into a consignment shop for children’s clothing and calling it Rocking Trends Boutique. While her grand opening date of March 9 is still a ways away — and yet just around the corner — she is in the process of setting up clothes racks, and designing her window spaces.
“I really want to focus on children’s consignment,” said Amber. “I have a friend who has hand-made dog sweaters and I’d like to try selling home-made dog cookies.”
Amber said she would like parents who bring their children to Discovery Place KIDS to come shop at her store afterwards, perhaps while enjoying cupcakes sold at Henry’s Uptown Restaurant in Rockingham.
“Ladies in the area can make money from their kids’ clothes,” said Amber. “Clothes are expensive and kids grow out of them quickly. Money is tight these days and it gives people a chance to get something back out of those clothes. Plus, you’re putting money back into the community.”
Amber said the age range she is aiming for is 2T to junior sizes.
“Those are the ages when things are more reusable,” said Amber. “Right now I’m looking for moms who want to consign clothes. I’m also thinking about doing a clothes swap, where you can meet and greet people and then exchange clothes. I’ve met a lot of great moms here.”
Amber learned a lot about clothes at an early age, as her mother was a seamstress and Amber was the eldest of five sisters.
“So it was my job to help mom sew,” she said. “Then I have three daughters and a son and I had to learn how to dress them. I came out of the food industry into this.”
Amber stood in her new store with her bulldog Junior, who models the doggie sweaters. He is her store companion, and is friendly to everyone he meets. Amber said she worked for a store in Seneca, S.C., called Mellow Trends, owned by her best friend and muse, Sally Baumgardner. Amber’s store will be multifaceted, as she will be sewing and “up-cycling” clothing items, as in, making them better with alterations. She will also include interesting antique furniture from a vendor she knows.
“It’s definitely going to be something different,” she said.
Amber and Chad Marcengill are looking forward to mixing with the Richmond County crowd.
To see how you can get involved in clothing swaps or learn more about consigning, head to Amber Marcengill’s store’s Facebook page, Rocking Trends or call the store at 910-817-9983.
— Staff Writer Dawn M. Kurry can be reached at 910-997-3111, ext. 15, or by email at dkurry@civitasmedia.com.
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