By ADAM STEWART

Staff writer

Deanna Rich knew she needed a different business model to make her new shop in Hillsboro work. She discovered the solution when she was chatting with family members.

“We all said we had so much stuff we wanted to get rid of,” she said Thursday.

She opened Dee’s Merchandise and Consignment Store entirely with merchandise provided by relatives and friends. The store began doing business April 2 at 127 N. Main St.

Consignment means she sells items on behalf of people. In return, she receives a portion of the item’s sale price. So far she has 32 people she sells for.

Keeping track of who is selling what has been one of the challenges. She started using different colored price tags, but she soon had more sellers than colors. Now she marks each price tag with a number to identify the seller.

Because of the business model, merchandise is a mixed bag. Clothes, toys, and compact discs constitute the majority of Rich’s merchandise. She doesn’t sell knives or guns because of insurance issues. She also has new merchandise, including gift items, Avon beauty products, and jewelry.

Some local artisans have expressed interest in selling at the store, and she encouraged them to bring their products in to sell.

Rich said she wished she could get more merchandise for men. Two saddles and a welding cart have passed through her store, and all three sold quickly, she said.

The shop is open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday.

For more information, call (620) 755-1010 or e-mail deannamarie1962@yahoo.com.