Bloom Again to close after 32 years in business

A sign on the door of Bloom Again has been quietly letting customers know for the past week that change is coming. After years of curating unique finds, owner Becky Strauss is preparing to pass the torch to Danielle Baird, who will take over the shop with a new vision.

On a misty Wednesday morning, customers stopped in to peruse items, sharing their sentiments after reading the store’s last day will be Aug. 29.

“Oh my goodness,” Glenda Stephens gasped as she directed her attention to the sign at the register. Stephens, retired school teacher at Freedom High School, recalls coming in the store weekly while she was a teacher.

“It’s just a fun place to come in,” Stephens said. “Sometimes I’ll spend all the money I have.”

Bloom Again’s customer base has grown to more than 6,000 consignees in the last three decades.

THE START OF BLOOM

In 1994, Strauss’s friend and then co-owner, Sandy Cooper approached Strauss with the idea of a consignment store. At the time, Strauss had never heard of the concept because there weren’t any consignment shops around.

“I mean, who knew? It started as just something to do,” Strauss said.

The two made flyers and Walker Road Baptist Church members gave the store clothing items. Soon after, the community caught wind of the store and brought clothes in. It wasn’t long before the store outgrew that location and moved to downtown Morganton.

“Within a month or two, we were open. We rented a little place out on 64 and we outgrew it after one year,” Strauss said.

Years later, Cooper eventually left the business to move into ministry. At the time, Strauss thought about closing the store, but Cooper and her husband convinced her to keep it, and she’s glad she did.

Strauss said the Bloom Again run has been successful. Over the years, customers are likely to bring items in, and once their items are sold, the majority spend their earnings at the store, putting money back into the business.

Strauss, a people person, said one of the best parts of having a store has been the people she’s able to meet.

“It’s a small town, a small store. I know 90% of the people by name that walk in here,” Strauss said.

THE END OF AN ERA

Bloom Again will continue to take clothes for consignment until June. The store usually has two big clearance sales during the year. According to Strauss, the July sale normally clears out the inventory. This year’s sale happens just in time for the transfer of ownership to Baird in August.

Under Baird’s leadership, the store will remain a consignment shop, but with a different concept. Employees will remain at the location for Baird’s new venture.

Customers will have until the last day of business on Aug. 29 to collect payment for items consigned in the past year.

Strauss, who’s thought about retiring for a year now, has finally accepted her decision. In retirement, she looks forward to spending time with family and enjoying life.

“I want to go out on a good note. I still love work, I still love all the people. I don’t dread coming in, business is good,” Strauss said. “It makes it easy for me to go out knowing there’s still a place for people to shop and bring their clothes.”