Johnston County mom takes over popular Apex consignment sale

Bridget Lassiter has spent the last many years getting her doctorate in crop science from N.C. State University. And when she finished up her studies this year, which focused on the peanut, she decided to buy a children's consignment sale.

That's the short story about how Lassiter, mom of a little girl in Johnston County, came to take over the long-running Twice As Nice Consignment Sale. The sale is open Nov. 7 to Nov. 9 at BienVenue, 1402 E. Williams St., Apex.

"We just prayed about it and decided, yep, we're going to do it," Lassiter tells me of her conversations with her husband. "So far, it's been very exciting, overwhelming."

Of course, there's more to the story than that. Lassiter is a long-time bargain shopper, often buying clothes and other items for herself at local thrift stores. When she was pregnant with her own daughter, Lassiter made a pact with herself.

"I would try to buy everything I could used," she said. Only her daughter's stroller, car seat and diaper bags were new.

"For me, it probably is the cost, but it's also the knowledge that we as Americans are such huge consumers," she said. 

And, kids, especially babies and toddlers, grow out of their clothes so quickly, it makes little sense to Lassiter to buy new clothes and other items for her daughter.

The purchase came about as Lassiter was making her consignment plans for this fall. She'd sold items at Twice As Nice before and was checking in to see what the sale's fall dates were. The sale's spring event was canceled after vandals stole the copper wiring from the electrical system, leaving the space without power.

Michelle Zimmerman, part of the sister team that owned the sale, told Lassiter that they actually were hoping to sell the sale and wondered if Lassiter might be interested. 

It's been a steep learning curve for Lassiter as she gets the word out about the sale. Zimmerman and her sister Karen Dorman have been by her side, guiding her along the way. They'll be on hand at this fall's sale.

Eventually, Lassiter hopes to automate the sale over time. And she'd like to offer another Triangle Family Expo in the spring to feature local family-friendly businesses. Zimmerman and Dorman held one in the spring even though the sale was canceled.

But, right now, Lassiter is focusing on just learning the ropes. 

"Karen and Michelle are definitely going to help me out,. One or both of them are going to be there both of the days" she said. "... Taking it over from them, I want to retain their history and relationships."

Twice As Nice will be open to the public 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Nov. 7; 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., Nov. 8; and 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., Nov. 9. Some items are half off on Nov. 9. There's also still time to sign up to consign items. It's a great opportunity to clear out those closets before the holidays! 

For details, check Twice As Nice's website and watch my video interview with Lassiter.

Go Ask Mom features local moms every Monday.