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Garland Resale Boutique opening Friday in downtown Spokane

First-time business owner Ashley Brownlee is opening Garland Resale Boutique on Friday. The opening follows months of renovation work after a fire in February destroyed hundreds of thousands of dollars in inventory. (Colin Mulvany / The Spokesman-Review)
By Amy Edelen amye@spokesman.com(509) 459-5581

Garland Resale Boutique is opening today in downtown Spokane following months of work to repair damage from a fire earlier this year.

The boutique was set to open in March at 11 S. Howard St. in the historic Symons Building, but the opening was delayed because of the fire that caused more than half million dollars in damage to inventory, boutique owner Ashley Brownlee said.

“When I walked in, it was pretty devastating at first, but I gained momentum again and pulled through with support around me,” she said.

With the help of Spokane Valley-based Belfor Property Restoration, which repaired fire and water damage, and entrepreneurship group She Is Vested, Brownlee was able to reopen the boutique.

Garland Resale Boutique will offer high-end new and gently used women’s clothing from brands like Anthropologie, Lululemon, J. Crew, Madewell, Vince and Free People along with candles, jewelry and greeting cards, Brownlee said.

She said clothing is sourced from locations nationwide, including Seattle, Portland and Phoenix. She also plans to sell clothes on consignment.

Brownlee, who is an artist and designer, has been selling clothing online and in consignment shops for several years.

“I always loved the hunt for beautiful things, so I started selling (clothing) online and realized people buy things and thought I could have a store,” she said.

Brownlee’s love for finding unique fashions began as a child, often accompanying her father on trips to vintage and antique stores.

“I was always drawn to fabrics, colors and garments that you normally wouldn’t find at J.C. Penney and I built a collection of beautiful little gems I would find,” she said.

Brownlee previously worked at a resale boutique in Idaho, where she learned the ropes of operating a business.

When Brownlee moved from Sandpoint to Spokane last year, she knew she wanted to open a business downtown.

“I had been coming to Spokane for so long and the charm of the historical buildings, the trains going by and the river – it’s such a charming little city with a very homey feel,” she said. “It’s welcoming.”

Garland Resale Boutique is hosting a grand opening party July 12.

“I’m excited to share these beautiful things I’ve been collecting for years with the women of Spokane,” she said.