With the triumph of opening a second location, ‘529 Kids Consign’ owner Megan Podolsky remains devoted to ensuring that other local moms find similar success.
For many people, a teenage retail job is an experience better left in the past. But for Megan Podolsky, six years spent perfecting the denim wall at Abercrombie & Fitch (and later as an assistant buyer for Hecht’s and regional manager for Calvin Klein Jeans) taught her an invaluable lesson about owning and managing her popular maternity and children’s consignment boutique 529 Kids Consign.
The recently added second location at Hollin Hall in Alexandria is a true reflection of this fact down to the signature scent in both stores [Bath & Body Works ‘Fresh Linen’], something Podolsky took away from her A&F days. While there are many similarities between both stores, one major difference is that the Hollin Hall location will offer expanded sizes. “The two stores will feed off of each other. That Old Town customer moves out of their tiny townhouse to get more space and send their kids to school [here]. So we are capturing all of those school-age children. We will go up to size 14.”
Podolsky is proud of the fact that most of the store employees are mothers, and in addition to fashion advice they can also advise new mothers on adjusting to their changing lives—lending new meaning to the term retail therapy.
Designs from local moms can be found throughout the store. “I started this as a new mom and all along I have wanted to help out other moms get their businesses started and give them a chance. I was given a chance and I am very thankful for it,” Podolsky states. —Angela Bobo
(March 2014)
