Meet Christin Fasuga of Savvy Seconds and 1sts in Ravenswood

Today we’d like to introduce you to Christin Fasuga.

Christin, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
Savvy Seconds Inc. was established in 2007 by my mother and I. After many years spent thrifting, she and I had the vision to open our own. We found that while thrift shops were very reasonably priced, they lacked curation. On the other extreme, the quality secondhand merchandise that would be found at designer resale boutiques, sold for an arm and a leg. We decided to bring both worlds into a one-stop shop; unique, quality merchandise at affordable prices!

Our first location was in Albany Park and consisted mostly of curated donation items for all women, men, and children. We had no idea really what or who we wanted to be yet so we started with a bit of everything, donating portions of our proceeds to local charities. Make a little, give a little. After a few years, realizing that we were enjoying and growing the biz, there was a somewhat affordable opportunity to move into Lincoln Square, where foot traffic was high and shopping was the reason. Here, I took over all of the buying, merchandising and operating while my mother moved on to other ventures, still handling my accounting. Here I stuck to mostly merch for women, buying name brand and designer brands from my customers.

After another handful of years in the square, my landlord decided to sell his storefronts which lead to me and other businesses having to either move or close entirely. I, still feeling the desire to continue on, decided to relocate one more final time and REALLY be true to myself in regards to shop ambiance and merchandise. I found a sweet little storefront with two big windows for my mannequins east on Lawrence right down the street from the new Marranos and updated metro development for a fraction of the rent I was coughing up in Lincoln Square. IN the windows, there was even a sticker that read “A place to call home”. It was a sign. I signed another 5-year lease here in Ravenswood where I created a space that feels like your comfy eccentric bohemian closet filled with a nice balance of funky authentic vintage pieces and quality staple modern gems. Here I still buy from my clients but no longer take from the public since I got back into thrifting myself, on my day off.

Thrifting is a passion of mine and allows me to find treasures that are a range of sizes, styles, and eras, whereas, buying from a person typically brings you the same size and style. And so here I am now, 3 years later, having completed 10 full years in business in June, I have decided to work on selling my business. California dreaming will not leave me be. However, I still have a year and a half on my lease and I intend on making it my very best yet!!

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Definitely has not been a smooth road. Retail, in general, is a rollercoaster. It depends on the current state of the world as well as keep up with the ever-changing “trends” that are popular. It’s difficult to cater to the masses, especially when your personal idea of whats cool, does not appeal to the timid dresser. However, I believe in being true to yourself, especially if you want to be happy and do something you believe in.

We moved twice. MOving your personal life into a new home is difficult enough. Try moving a business and having to almost start from scratch each time. I basically opened 3 shops if you think about it. Three new locations come with three new neighborhoods and demographics which means new marketing and new customers.

Budgeting is difficult at times since there is really no rhyme or reason for my customer traffic or lack thereof. One month can be so dead and the next to be a record breaker. However, during those slow months, I still need to bring in new merchandise for my regulars so finding ways to do that when you have no extra $$ to spend can be trying.

Finding good help can also be difficult. I mean, this shop has so much blood, sweat and tears of mine that it’s my baby in a sense. No one will ever treat it as well as you do. You are the face of your business and trying to find someone to fill those shoes is slim to none but when you find someone close to all that you dream of, you appreciate them evermore. I’ve been lucky to have had a few of these lady gems throughout my years.

Being a small business, people don’t really take you seriously or respect you in the same sense of established franchises like Macy’s. What I mean is, people are always asking for sales and deals and it gets so annoying cuz I do have a price tag on everything and often have sales. Plus, I think one of my flaws in being a business owner is that for many years, I think I underpriced things extensively so I just feel taken advantage of, especially when a person walks in wearing designer from head to toe and is trying to wheel and deal with me standing here eating ramen noodles.

Please tell us about Savvy Seconds and 1sts.
I am a resale boutique that carries modern and vintage clothing, shoes and accessories in women’s fashion but not only for women. I offer on-site styling and off-site closet organizing as well as 100% honest opinions on everything. My clients looking their best is more important to me than making the sale. Plus, you’re in a sense representing me and my shop. Gotta get you receiving those compliments!! Oliver and I, my right-hand shop dog and best pal (can’t believe I haven’t mentioned him sooner!), are here aiming to provide a safe place for all who love fashion and community. I’ve been told that my shop provides warmth and council and brings people together. Many new friendships have been made here by my clients as well as myself. There’s constant chatter and “playing dress-up” as I like to call it. “Girl” time, ya know.

My merchandise is the type of stuff that you can have fun with too, like when you were a child, playing in your mom’s wardrobe. My items, I like to believe, are more specialty items. Statement pieces. Collectibles that are timeless and stand strong through the ever-changing trends. Don’t get me wrong, I do have lots of basic staple pieces like black tuxedo blazers, denim skirts and button down tops, but when I thrift, I seek out the bold and the unique. Mixing it up is what it’s all about. My shop is for those with imaginations, who like to look they’re very best, try new things and express different moods on the regular while giving no f*cks.

If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
I would have taken it more seriously from the get-go. Honestly, this was initially my mother’s dream that I was riding along with. I mean, I had the passion for fashion as well as the retail experience, but it was her with the desire and drive to open her own business. I wish I would have had more faith in our endeavor in the very beginning when she was on fire. If we both were on the same page, I bet there’d been a few shops out there. Hahaha. That’s way presumptuous and a bit exaggerative but its partially true.

I was young, had just graduated from college and had no direction other than knowing I wanted to travel, travel, travel. If I had done my due diligence and used my creativity to plan a proper business plan, I think it we would have started off ahead of the game. My ambiance would have been more welcoming, merchandise more curated, and better use of my time management in regards to my marketing and utilization of all the free social media possibilities. But, whatcha gonna do.

Pricing:

• Things range form $4.99 up to I think I have a 1950s vintage wool coat with a fox fur collar mint condition for $250.
• Average modern dress $18, average vintage dress $40, average jeans $22, designer jeans $45, average shoe $15, Average jewelry $7.50, average blazer/jacket $25, Average leather item $45…….for example.

Contact Info:

• Address: 1748 w. Lawrence Ave
  Chicago, Il. 60640
• Website: savvysecondsand1sts.com
• Phone: 7737288920
• Email: christinrose@savvysecondsand1sts.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/savvysecondschicago/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/savvysecondsand1sts/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/savvyseconds
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/savvy-seconds-and-1sts-chicago-2

Getting in touch: VoyageChicago is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.