New business designed to help in tough economy

Lilacs and Apple Blossoms to buy and sell

When life gives you lemons, you make lemonade. At least that’s the philosophy behind Lilacs and Apple Blossoms, a new consignment shop at 2355 Belmont Center Drive, Suite 100, in Belmont.

Owner Amy Sheets said her family construction business was slow over the winter, so she and her husband had more time on their hands than usual.

“We decided to help a friend with her estate sale. We sold items on Craigslist, ebay and at flea markets. It worked out so well, she gave our names to a friend, and then to another friend,” Sheets said. The experience inspired Sheets to open up a consignment shop to offer more of that type of service.

The Belmont location was a no-brainer for Sheets, whose children attend Chandler Woods Academy. “There is so much here—the park, the trail, ice cream, pizza. All it needed was a consignment shop to round things out,” she said.

With a focus on family—family helping to run the business and the desire to help other families buy and sell items—Lilacs and Apple Blossoms opened its doors June 1 of this year. Sheets noted that her three small children help and even contributed with the painting of the store.

Family-friendly is consistent with items Lilacs and Apple Blossoms offers for sale. Everyone wears clothes every day and the shop has clothes for men, women and children as well as young adults and infants. Furniture will also be accepted, along with household items. Sheets said the store will host estate sales from time to time and antiques will be offered as they come in. There is a digital photo frame in the store so shoppers can see items for sale that might not fit in the shop. “We will sell anything, within reason,” Sheets laughed.

Sheets said her family strongly believes in doing business locally. Furnishings for the store were all purchased from other area businesses or individuals. “We like to help out the little guy,” she said. “We want to keep money in our local area. If we can keep money local, that will help the towns and small businesses.”

The store will provide a place for people to take their items for resale as well as a place to find great deals. “Everyone is hurting now and every penny helps,” said Sheets. “Our prices are great, we have good quality stuff at low prices. Where else can you buy a man’s suit for $30 or a decent little black dress for $12?”

Coming Thursday mornings after school starts, Lilacs and Apple Blossoms will offer “School Mom Morning.” Moms can visit the store at special early hours—8 a.m.—to enjoy coffee and fresh-baked items (by Chef Robin) and different specials. It may be something silly like a percentage off all pink items, or something serious like 20 percent off all furniture. Sheets will keep the specials fun and different. “You just have to come to find out what the sale is,” she said.

Sheets is excited about the new business and all it will offer to customers, whether sellers or buyers. “We have been having so much fun, meeting new people and helping people. You can just see the relief on people’s faces when you take that little extra load off their shoulders.”

            Lilacs and Apple Blossoms is open Tuesday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Wednesday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The phone number is (616) 447-7518.