Today we’d like to introduce you to Tyler Bearden.
Hi Tyler, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
My mother, Gin, was a single mom. Shopping thrift stores and consignments have always been a part of our lives. She always said, “Know your shoes, know your clothes and never pay retail”. Living in Austin in the 90s, it was easy to find the finer things at discounted prices. She always had the best style, the wildest jewelry and GREAT hair. Gin started Gypsy’s closet above the Grace Jones building in Salado, TX in 2009. She slowly started hosting “sip and shops” and gold buying parties. She taught me everything has the potential to make money depending on your hustle. I moved back to Salado in the summer of 2022 and agreed to work alongside Gin, buying, selling, and trading previously loved clothing, jewelry, and handbags. By this time, she had certainly upgraded her inventory with vintage furs, Louis Vuitton, Dana Buchman, Dior, etc. Whether you had an upcoming wedding or formal event, a rodeo or a fancy girls’ night, you could always find something worth buying at Gypsy’s Closet. A month ago, Gin and I found ourselves at an Estates Sale here in Salado. Right then and there, we decided we were going to get into furniture. We spent entirely too much money on BEAUTIFUL tables, dressers, chairs, and purses. So far, we’ve made half of what we spent on just 3 products total. The buy/sell/trade business is fun in general and my only coworker is my mom. Neither of us could ask for a more perfect job: we work together, play together. This is a special gift she’s created for both of us.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Certainly not. The original location was a joint project between Gin and the man in her life as a fun retirement plan. After committing to working the inventory, paying vendors, and keeping the book, Mr. Sir took a job in Abu Dhabi, U. A. E. He begged Gin to join him across the pond, forcing Gypsy’s Closet to close. Upon her return, she reopened as Timeless with all the same consignors and clients in a new location, still in Salado. She joined up with a fellow member of Salado’s elite only to sell her half of the shop a few years later due to some discrepancies. From there, Gin made all the same phone calls and reopened Gypsy’s Closet in a shared space with Wild Hairs Salon. At the beginning of this year, Gin ventured out to her own space, still as Gypsy’s Closet. An offer became available to good to pass up and this summer of 2022, we moved locations, Hopefully for the last time. It’s been difficult not owning our own space but we’re doing the best we can.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
We are an upscale Clothing and Furniture Consignment shop. We specialize in luxury clothing, jewelry and handbags. As for the furniture, that’s mostly my venture. I love furniture that’s traveled around the world, anything with a story. We’re known for, Gin being Gin. She’s sweet and funny and takes care of her own. She is a fierce mother and a great friend. We’re most proud of the clients turned friends over the years. We’re a couple of casual, honest gals just trying to pay some bills. We’re not trying to get rich, we just wanted an outlet for women to feel comfortable shopping in, just because it’s previously owned, doesn’t mean it’s less than others. It’s served its purpose for that individual, and at Gypsy’s Closet, it has an opportunity to serve someone else.
If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?
To this day, I’ve been a wild child. I definitely got that from my Mom. We were always on the go. Gin always made sure I was involved in sports and saw my Grandparents regularly. I went to my Dad’s two weekends a month, if he showed up. In the event he didn’t, she always made up for it. Gin and I were a team. We always had a way of “ending up” somewhere spectacular, Pheonix, Seattle, Portland, Loredo, every beach in Mexico… How we could afford it I never asked, I enjoyed this incredible experience with my best friend. When we didn’t have travel plans, we were on the lake or at a bar-b-q. Most of my childhood was spent with uncles and aunts that weren’t a part of our bloodline. It felt like she knew everybody everywhere we went, no matter where we went. Now, people come to see her at the shop just to say Hi and talk about those bar-b-qs.
Pricing:
- Consignment split on clothing is 50/50
- Consignement split on luxury items is 35/65 in the consignors favor
- Consignment split on furniture is typically 50/50
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.facebook.com/gypsysclosetsalado/
- Instagram: gypsysclosetsalado
Image Credits
Tyler L. Bearden
