By: Tim Robinson

"Designer handbags are my biggest sellers", Christine Peterson said recently at her Lucky Star consignment shop in Normandy Park.
 
      No surprise for Christine who has been working in women's retail for many years. Christine would be the first to tell you that Lucky Star is not retail. What it is, is carefully selected “pre owned’'”clothing, handbags and jewelry on consignment from your neighbors and friends. Throw in a little local art and gifts and you have a pleasant, conveniently located shop in Manhattan Villge shopping center with free parking.
 
      Yes, it is a women's shop but you'll find men's and children's fine apparel here too. All neatly presented on rows of white hangers. "Retail 101 basics", Christine advised.
 
      Consignment shops, by their nature, suggest hand-me-down and out-of-style items. Lucky Star is not your average consignment shop. All items are carefully inspected, clean and in excellent condition. Lucky Star is Boutique Style Consignment!
 
      Clothing and accessories are matched to help shoppers decide how an outfit might suit them. Rows of children's clothing hang softly off the chrome racks in sizes from infant to 16c. Men's shirts, sweaters, belts and ties are neatly positioned for easy access. You won't see old jeans strewn into piles on flat tables. You will see neatly folded pants, marked according to size and priced very moderately. You will see Coach handbags and Gucci jackets as well as other designer items.
 
     "Our policy is to accept seasonal and basic items on consignment for 60 days", Christine explained. The contract allows consigned items to be retrieved by the consignee if it does not sell. "When given permission, unselected items are donated to ‘Transform Burien’ a local non profit , “she added. 

The rules are simple. Bring in your extra clothing, shoes, bracelets and neckwear like scarves and ties. Sign a simple agreement to allow Lucky Star to display your items and wait for them to sell. Christine fashion consults with many visitors to the store. Consignees get checks or store credit for things they might not wear again or maybe have never worn.

 
    Christine came up through the retail ranks, first at Clothestime, later at 5-7-9 Shops and ultimately at Burlington Coat Factory as a District Supervisor. She managed at every level in her career before taking on Lucky Star. Now she hires help from the Puget Sound Skills Center just off 188th St, and Big Picture High School, offering to mentor young women to get them started in their own careers.
 
   Lucky Star Normandy Park is one of four stores in Washington State right now. Stacy Patrick , Christine's friend and early mentor, started the company 10 years ago and owns the Kingston and Silverdale location.The first licensed store is in Sequim. Normandy Park is the second.

  Holiday themes are fun but Christine can take it further. She even has a Seahawk colors wall for those occasions where a fan might need a cute outfit for game day. With around 3500 square feet, Lucky Star has plenty of room to display hand crafted art pieces contributed by local artists, on consignment, of course.
 
    Hours for Lucky Star are Monday through Saturday 10-7 and Sunday noon to five. Lucky Star is located 17833 1st Avenue S., in the Manhattan Village shopping center across from QFC and adjacent to Starbucks coffee and Paws in the Park pet shop. You can find them on the web at www.luckystarclothing.com or call them at 206-397-4912.