The Buzz
The Buzz
Pzazz is about to begin its seventh year in business by expanding into a new space in a new part of town. Pzazz moving
into new digsJudy Joseph describes herself as "proprietress" of the consignment clothing store.
"I hate 'CEO' when it's a two-person operation," she said. "It's a bit pretentious."
While her store's offerings range "from Gap to Gucci," Joseph's life has not had room for pretension of late.
She's been laying flooring, installing baseboards and assembling cabinetry for her new location at 3057 Waialae Ave. in Kaimuki. It's likely a help that City Mill is across the street, and Lighting Elegance Inc. is next door.
Joseph and daughter Susan Sanger move into the new 1,700-square-foot digs today.
"We should be open and running Wednesday or Thursday," Joseph said.
Joseph said the new space will make Pzazz the largest resale clothing boutique in Hawaii.
Not that she lets that go to her head.
"We call ourselves the consignment shop with heart" because of the store's many charitable donations and other fund-raising efforts, she said.
Joseph is vice president of the Angel Network Charities board of directors and is a regular donor to the Institute for Human Services.
She recently outfitted beneficiaries of the Sisters Offering Support nonprofit group for pictures in an upcoming issue of People Magazine.
And the youth group at Central Union Church recently raised $5,000 by staging a fashion show with Joseph's help.
But the high-end designer names offered at the store roll off her lips: "Chanel, Escada, Armani, and designer handbags by Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Prada, Ferragamo, Coach, Fendi ..."
Akin to doctor-patient confidentiality, Joseph will not reveal the names of clients who consign their designer finery to her store.
"That's a trade secret," she said.
The majority of her clients are working women who love clothes, but some of the more upscale pieces are brought in by rather wealthy women, and some, she said, "still have the price tag (on them)."
Erika Engle is a reporter with the Star-Bulletin.
Call 529-4757, fax 529-4750 or write to Erika Engle,
Honolulu Star-Bulletin, 500 Ala Moana Blvd., No. 7-210,
Honolulu, HI 96813. She can also be reached
at: eengle@starbulletin.com