Life has come full circle for me. Many of you might be thinking “What?! You’re just starting your life!” But truly, after I tell you this story, you will understand what I mean. I was born into a scrap metal recycling family and grew up going to scrap yards. Not to sit and toot my own horn, but my great-grandfather invented the automobile shredder, reference the “Newell Shredder.”Fast forward a few centuries later and I married a man who was also born into the scrap business, whose grandfather happened to purchase his first automobile shredder from my grandfather. Confused? How about this: Megan’s Grandpa Leon purchased his first (big) piece of recycling equipment from my Grandpa Scott. Grandpa Scott introduced me to my husband, who is the brother of Megan. I now own a consignment boutique with Megan, which is its own form of recycling!See what I mean? Full circle! Recycling has always been a huge part of my life - and now I do it for a living, and in the absolute most fun way possible. (And yes, I did wear a hard hat and steel-toed boots at one point in my life - not the most fashionably fun).Megan and I were walking the streets of Old Town a few weeks past and talking about this coincidence when she came up with the first half of our campaign, “Shop. Consign…” What were we missing? We wanted to launch an initiative that would stick in people’s minds and drive home how important it is to shop and support all things local. “Repeat!” We found our missing link. Shop. Consign. Repeat. All things Alexandria.  So this holiday season when you’re out shopping local in our fabulous little town, think about how you are not only helping the economy, but when you consign with us, you’re also helping the planet - resale of clothing, shoes, and leather goods is finding another home besides a landfill and the dark corners of your closet. According to Forbes, “fashion generates 4% of the world’s waste each year, 92 million tons, which is more than toxic e-waste.” So yes, consigning your gently used clothing is very important you guys! And you get to make a few $$ too! What’s not to love?This month at Mint Condition we are launching our #ShopConsignRepeat campaign and want you to be a part of the fun! Tag us on IG and you will be entered to win a $50 gift card to Mint Condition. You can save it for yourself or gift it to a friend. Do you know we ship all over the United States?!So many of you have supported us from the beginning and we want to say thank you! None of this would be possible without all of y’all! Now make sure and #ShopConsignRepeat! 

 Stephanie Parkes shopping local at TSALT #Shop

Ali Hellmuth consigning with Mint at your service #Consign

Megan Podolsky shopping a fabulous new Gucci Tote from Mint Condition #Repeat