This consignment store benefits the Louisiana orchestra | Entertainment/Life

Long before resale clothing was the big business that it is today, the Encore Shop, a local women’s consignment boutique owned and run by Symphony Volunteers, Inc., was a destination for quality pre-owned clothing at affordable prices.

Nearly 60 years since it opened its doors, the shop’s mission of donating financial support to the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra, as well as its merchandise — which includes cashmere cardigans, Italian leather shoes and luxe cocktail dresses and formal gowns, still have legs.

“They were way ahead of their time,” said Laura Claverie, whose mother-in-law, Viola Claverie, is credited with proposing the idea for the shop after meeting a Philadelphia couple who supported a similar consignment shop in the City of Brotherly Love.

Terms like upcycling and sustainable fashion weren’t yet part of the popular lexicon, yet Encore was an early exemplar of today’s clothing-with-a-conscience movement. Resale clothing cuts down on the harmful carbon footprint of fast fashion. And by operating as a nonprofit supporting the LPO, Encore gives back to the community.

The original concept for the shop, opened in 1966 on Arabella and Perrier streets, was to sell pre-owned ballgowns at discounted prices to raise money for what was then The New Orleans Symphony. Members of the Women’s Committee of the symphony donated the gowns, and volunteers from the committee staffed the shop.

According to Laura Claverie, the Claverie family’s involvement with the launching of the shop extended to her father-in-law, Louis, who bought an air conditioner for the shop “so the ladies wouldn’t perspire” and to her husband Philip, who worked with his father to refresh the Uptown building that was its original home.

The shop later moved to the current location on Maple Street and over time expanded its inventory to include casual clothing, jewelry, handbags, scarves and belts.

Barbara Sands, who has dedicated years of service to the LPO, chairing events, volunteering at the Encore Shop and archiving its history, has a log of the proceeds that the shop raised for the LPO since its inception. Its initial donation in the $6,000 range grew steadily to more than $70,000 in each of the past 10 years.

Sands says the store has a firm footing with loyal, longtime shoppers. Toward the end of 2025, veteran Encore shopper Bennetta Addison popped in for one of her weekly visits. Her attire included turquoise earrings, an Escada handbag and ankle strap shoes, all purchased from the shop.

In no time, she snapped up a terry sweatsuit-inspired set for traveling, a pair of black cigarette pants and a cotton poplin top. Addison’s favorite find in her years of shopping at Encore was an Alexander McQueen dress that fit like a glove and was priced within her means.

“This is the only way I’d have an Alexander McQueen dress for sure,” said Addison.

The same day, Angela Poulton and Colleen Perniciaro, both from Baton Rouge, headed to the shop in search of ballgown. In less than an hour, Perniciaro purchased a burgundy taffeta evening gown with overlayers of tulle, a one-shoulder black gown with gold floral applique, and a strapless black gown with a rhinestone-embellished bow at the bust, all for about $300, considerably less than the cost of similar gowns at retail.

Perniciaro likes that the store carries multiple things in her size and that what may be old to a consignor’s closet is new to hers.

“We were laser focused,” said Poulton, with a mock-serious note that was counter to the fun the two had while trying dresses on.

Encore takes new consignments daily and adds to the rotation as they come in. Everything must be in good condition. And although not every piece has a designer label, there are plenty of those.

A quick browse revealed Hermes scarves, Valentino heels, a vintage Victor Costa gown with a dramatic ruffled slit, a suede Gucci bag with bamboo-adorned handles and a stunning, mint condition pair of 1970s inspired suede boots by Louis Vuitton. Occasionally, consignors bring in unworn items that are new with tags.

A display case holds a tray of $4 jewelry, and there are purses and dresses for as little as $30. On the higher end, the Vuitton boots are marked at $600 for the selective shopper — still much less than the initial retail.

Each consigned piece is researched to determine its original price and marked down accordingly. Merchandise that doesn’t sell is reduced in price. Consignors get 50% of the sale, and the rest goes to the LPO.

Sands says the shop “goes with the times in terms of what people are looking for.” In the 1980s, she observed that customers were purchasing workwear. Relaxed office attire and remote work later gave way to greater demand for pants and tops. More recently, she says Encore shoppers are seeking dresses.

The dedication of the staff has been another key to Encore’s success. Volunteers tend to stay on for years and develop friendships. Sands has been involved for more than 30 years. Jennifer Fonseca started as a consignor and shopper, then managed the shop for a decade.

Unlike online resale shoppers, Fonseca says Encore’s customers have the advantage of being able to come in regularly and “touch and feel and try on.”

“That’s the fun of Encore,” Fonseca said. “You never know what’s going to be in there. You snooze, you lose.”

Milliner Maria Etkind is one of several paid staff members in the shop (the rest are volunteers), where she styles displays and encourages customers to have fun with fashion.

“There is something for everyone,” Etkind said.

While the majority of Encore’s clientele are in the 35 to 55 age bracket, Etkind says college students also come in to scoop up jeans, denim jackets, tops and boots.

“They break all the rules and make their own rules,” said Etkind, highlighting an Indian blanket jacket with a Ralph Lauren feel that may appeal to students thanks to the western wear trend.

Other on-trend finds: leopard pumps, Mary Jane flats, platform sneakers, a Tory Burch tote and Kate Spade loafers.

True to its trailblazer roots, The Encore shop is still finding ways to be resourceful in its efforts to raise funds for the LPO. They market on Instagram and Facebook regularly. Manager Cat Conner is also looking for ways to utilize garments that don’t sell instead of putting them into the waste stream. One idea is to donate them to organizations that will reuse the fabric.

A local pioneer in the field of resale, the Encore Shop continues to keep the LPO well-funded by keeping locals well-dressed.

“What sets us apart,” Sands said, “is that we support the LPO and that we’ve been here so long.”