Meet your Merchant: Consignment shop takes stock in girl 'thangs'

As the name suggests, "It's a Girl Thang" is a boutique-like consignment store offering new and almost-new clothing and accessories for females only.

"We have everything a girl needs to make herself beautiful, from sweaters, coats, dresses and pants to shoes, purses and jewelry," said owner Nancie Pitts.

There are even some items for little girls from size 0 to 5, she said, adding that her granddaughter did all her school shopping in her shop.

The advantage of consignment is that everybody wins. The customer benefits by the affordable prices of items, including some designer pieces. The person consigning the items gets 40 percent of the sale and the shop takes 60 percent.

Pitts said she is determined to help people as well as turn a profit.

"When the seasons change, we donate inventory to Advocates to End Domestic Violence," she said.

The way it works is that items are on the floor for 30 days at full asking price. After that, they're marked down to half price for another 30 days. At that time, the consignor can either pick up the items or donate them to Advocates, Pitts said.

"It's kind of fun. It's giving back to the community," said the Carson City resident of 17 years.

Pitts also assures the quality of items for bargain hunters.

"One thing that's very nice is that we're located right next to Job Connect, so people looking for jobs can come in here if they're looking for nice affordable clothing and can get a suit for an interview for only $12," Pitts said.

The charming 1,100-square-foot shop looks much like a boutique inside, with merchandise attractively arranged on racks, shelves and walls. Pitts' daughter Teresa Clark works side by side with her and does all the window dressing as seasons change or as new merchandise arrives.

"My daughter is really into clothing, and we work well together. She is my best friend," Pitts said.

Another way she likes to be involved in the community is by giving away formals to teen girls at Carson High School who can't afford to buy a dress for homecoming or other formal events.

"We recently gave five girls formals. We just donate them to the high school," she said.

Pitts also works closely with the shop next door, Eternally Yours Salon and Spa, so that they can help each other succeed.

"We kind of work together on promotions," she said. "If someone spends $50 here, they get a $10 certificate for her shop and if they spend $50 with her, they get a $10 certificate for here."

Pitts has owned the shop - formerly called Encore, in a different location - since June.

"It was slow at first, but since we got our sign up, business has just boomed. It's been wonderful," she said.