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The store — whose model is helping others — gives a large portion of the proceeds of its sales to the artists who provide handmade and customized products on a consignment basis. It keeps a small cut to run the store.
The surplus is donated to local charities that focus on women’s and children’s causes, according to volunteer Christine Mihalec.
Mihalec has shopped at the Fairfield Women’s Exchange for years. When she retired, she knew exactly where she wanted to spend her retirement — at least part of it.
“I knew I wanted to come here,” Mihalec told The Daily Voice on Wednesday.
She is one of the many volunteers who run the store. The only paid staff member, Mihalec said, is the bookkeeper.
Mihalec said the store has turned over millions to consigners over the years, some of whose livelihoods are dependent on the sale of their goods there.
“We’re helping consigners help themselves,” Mihalec said.
The store works with more than 150 consigners.
Products for sale Wednesday included artwork — depictions of the cannons at Compo and The Pequot Library, for example.
The store also sells a range of handmade children’s items and jewelry, including clip-on earrings that Mihalec said are hard to find elsewhere.
Items range in price from a few dollars to more than a hundred. A candle inside of a shell sells for $8, while porcelain plates retail for $125.
Some items at the store can be personalized, such as monogrammed appetizer plates that can be used as wedding gifts.
Mihalec said it's this personal touch that sets the store apart.
“We give very personalized service,” she said.
The store even connects customers with artists for custom paintings.
“I’ve had my house painted,” she said, adding that she used the picture on an invitation card.
The Fairfield Women’s Exchange is located at 332 Pequot Ave. in Southport.
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