For the fashionista with a conscience comes
Ambiance,
Lawrenceville's latest unique boutique, which also has locations in
Regent Square and
Oakmont.
The consignment shop, located at 4735 Butler St., offers high-end labels at affordable prices. It opened late-September in a 2,200-square-foot space--with glossy hardwood floods and classic tin ceilings--formerly occupied by The Framery, which moved within the past year to 3627 Butler St. in Lower Lawrenceville.
Kelly Pezze, Ambiance's director of retail operations, says most goods are priced at 50 to 75 percent off retail, but hints there are even better deals to be found--a $2,500 John Galliano gown for $350, for instance.
And the best part? Ambiance is a wholly owned subsidiary of Bethlehem Haven, a nonprofit organization that supports homeless women through emergency shelter, transitional housing and medical, dental, obstetrics and mental health services; and provides employment services to women in the Pittsburgh area.
Bethlehem Haven purchased the original Ambiance consignment shop in Regent Square in 2004 as a social enterprise. That shop was so successful that in 2006, Bethlehem Haven opened a second location in Oakmont. And about six months ago, Bethlehem Haven made the decision to open a third shop in Lawrenceville, which Pezze says feels like "a secret little place in the city with all the best boutiques and restaurants." Where the Oakmont location features homewares in addition to its extensive women's clothing and accessories offerings, the Lawrenceville location includes a menswear section (standouts: Hermes ties, Gucci boots, cashmere).
After paying consignment costs and overhead fees, all revenue goes directly to Bethlehem Haven. Since opening almost six years ago, Ambiance has provided about $30,000 to the nonprofit.
Cheap and for a good cause? This is guilt-free shopping at its finest.
Writer: Caralyn Green
Source: Kelly Pezze, director of retail operations, Ambiance
Photography copyright Caralyn Green