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Martin's Emporium moves to new location
GREENCASTLE -- In October 2005 when Julie Martin opened a small consignment shop, she knew her business would grow. This month she moved to her fourth location and an even bigger space in the old Marsh/Lo Bill store on Indianapolis Road.
"I have now reached my goal of a store that is big enough to carry everything from the day you are born, your first day of school, senior prom, first real job, Wedding day and watching your daughter walk down the aisle," Martin said.
"Even guys, if you work outside, go hunting, or need a tux for that special day, we have that too," she added.
Her store is a consignment business, it's not a resale or place to drop off donations. People entrust their items to her to sell.
"The way it works is simple. You bring your items in, Martin's sells them, the owner of the item gets a predetermined percentage of the selling price," explained Martin.
Stores like Plato's Closet and Once Upon a Child buy items from people for a low amount and resale them. The seller gets their money up front.
"At Martin's Emporium, we are here to sell your items quickly for the most money the market will bear," said Martin.
One of Martin's passions is jewelry. Her store boasts more than 20 showcases that include hundreds of necklaces and earring sets to match every dress. She carries a large selection of formal and sterling silver jewelry.
"I have been obsessed with jewelry since I was a little girl, and creating collections is my passion. We have well over 100 tiaras to choose from. Now let's talk sterling silver; pick a stone -- we carry those hard to find exotic stones, brilliant and every color under the sun," explained Martin excitedly.
She will travel to Tucson in February to attend one of the world's largest gem shows.
"My goal this year is to come back with real dinosaur eggs. Yes, we carry truly different items. We have amber with bugs in it. Did you know there are over 250 different colors of Amber?" she queried.
She went on to talk about the many different colors of coral and jaspers in every color and pattern as well as rough rubies that are a brilliant shade of fuchsia, sapphires in their rich royal blue and emeralds that are bright green as the grass of Ireland.
"We have big, chunky and bold to small and sophisticated and we carry rings from size 1 to 17. Now that's a big ring. We even have artist originals, items you will find nowhere else," noted Martin.
Bridal gowns are another specialty item carried at the store. Not only do they have special order designer gowns, but for those who are more money conscious, they carry bridal closeouts and gently used gowns.
"Bridal closeouts are new dresses from other bridal shops that cannot be ordered anymore, last season's or before, but at a fraction of the cost. Most are $100 to $300 and save even more by shopping our gently used gowns," she adds.
For anyone looking for the perfect belle of the ball gown, Martin's offers previously worn dresses for under $200 and new closeouts for under $300. The store also carries vintage and antique items.
Martin moved this month into her new location at 101 Indianapolis Road. Hours for the store are Tuesday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 1 to 5 p.m. They are closed on Mondays.
She reflected for a few moments about her journey with the store.
"Wow what a ride! Opening your own business is a great challenge, but with hard work and a lot of 'I can do it,' even when all say you can't, you can make your own business thrive. Even in these tough economic times," Martin said.
"My dream, my own store, no boss -- just me. I could never have done it without the support of my family, friends and our community. In the movie 'Field of Dreams' they said 'If you build it they will come.' I hope everyone will come to see our new store," she said.