Cavanagh launches her 'Second Act' with thrift shop

When Cavanagh left City Hall at the end of last May, she said she had to find something to fill her time because she was so used to working nonstop.

“Before long, honestly, I started getting antsy. … I found, all the sudden, even though I retired, it’s not for me yet. Although I look it, I’m not ready for the rocking chair,” she said.

Cavanagh said she volunteered at Union Hospital and at St. Pius V Parish last summer, while also serving as Gordon “Buzzy” Barton’s campaign manager for last fall’s Lynn City Council election.

The consignment store’s 13 Boston St. location is familiar territory to Cavanagh, as it was Barton’s campaign headquarters. After the election, she thought the space would transition well into the store she had wanted to open.

“It has great parking and great visibility, because every night at 5 o’clock, you’d have a ton of people in traffic,” Cavanagh said.

The three-room store, which sells new and used men’s and women’s clothing and accessories, is decorated with Rat Pack paraphernalia because of Cavanagh’s love for the group and as a joking nod to her “pack-rat friends.”

Cavanagh said for those who want to sell items on consignment in her store, the profit will be split evenly. Once the merchandise is brought in and an agreement is made, Cavanagh said she will display it for 60 days, marking the merchandise down if it does not sell after 30 days.

“They have to trust my judgment that I’m going to price it. And I’ve told everybody who walks in the door, it’s not a yard sale, but it’s not a boutique. We’re in Lynn, and it’s going to be really reasonable,” she said.

If the item does not sell after 60 days, Cavanagh said the owner can come to claim the item or allow Cavanagh to donate it.

The most expensive women’s item will be $20, and the most expensive men’s item will be $25, including suits, she said. However, Cavanagh said if she receives a high-end item, like a Louis Vuitton purse, she will respect an owner’s request to price it above those limits. “I want people to walk out of here and say, ‘Hey, I got a great dress for 10 bucks.’ If they walk out of here saying, ‘Hey, it’s nice, but the prices aren’t so hot,’ they’re not coming back,” she said.

Cavanagh said she currently has 75 percent new clothing versus 25 percent used clothing in the store, and she plans to have promotions every day of the week, such as discounts for high school and college students or City Hall employees.

In addition to having hours seven days a week, Cavanagh said she offers customized appointments.

“If I can satisfy somebody that wants to come in and shop, I’ll do it,” she said. “If somebody wants to drop off, I’m pretty flexible with availability.”

The store’s initial inventory came from reaching out to friends and family, Cavanagh said, and plucking items from her own closet.

“As soon as I told people I was doing it, I couldn’t believe the immediate bags of clothes I had dropped off,” she said.

Cavanagh said her friends will also help out in staffing the store and possibly modeling the clothing outside the store when the weather is nice.

Cavanagh said the great aspect of opening a consignment shop was that most of the inventory was brought to her, and she is looking to see how the community will respond to the store.

“This is the next part of my life, and I hope it’s successful,” she said.

Claire’s Second Act will be open Monday through Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. and on Sunday from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, call 339-440-5356.

Sarah Mupo may be reached at smupo@itemlive.com.