Today we’d like to introduce you to Lori Almeida.
Hi Lori, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I grew up in Freehold and have memories of shopping with my mom at 2nd Turn Around consignment store. As I grew older I continued to shop and consign there. I loved the savings and the recycling aspect. Fast forward to having my own children. I consigned their gently used clothing and donated the items that I didn’t feel were appropriate for consignment. Having my own store silently sat in my head for years.
2018: My children were grown and I thought, “it’s time!” The opportunity to take over a closing store was perfect timing. NU2U of Hamilton was where I settled in and made it my own for two years. My daughter helped me while on her college breaks.
2020: To cut costs, I decided to move closer t home, that coincided with the Covid-19 shut down. My space was no longer available which left me to go into the attic space of a strip mall. I did my best to make it a nice, welcoming space and it was cute, but not ideal for consignors to bring items up 21 steps! I burned through my savings as rent still had to be paid for the months when we were not allowed to have shoppers. The location was not shopper friendly either because of the stairs the parking.
2021: Frustrations with my location and unreasonable extra fees brought me to the Jackson Premium Outlet Mall. I didn’t really think they’d say yes, but why not try? After a day, they agreed to rent a small store to me.
2023: I requested to lease in a much larger store. Again, they said yes. There is parking right outside my door, which is perfect for my consignors to bring their items in.
2026: I was offered the space next door to do home consignment. That space opened in March of 2026.
I love the business of resale. I love being part of the community. My consignors, my shoppers and my employees are like family. The Jackson Premium Outlet location has proven to be a perfect fit for NU2U Consignment Fashions. Its story will continue and the store will pivot if I see the demands shift.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Initally it was a smooth to take over an existing store. This small store was a great stepping stone to learn the business and it came with a list of consignors for me to work with. The Covid-19 shut down was rough. I had to dismantle a store, pack my car with racks and bags of inventory, haul it up 21 steps, wearing masks, the lack of workers to install necessary cables and other services necessary to run a retail store, being denied financial help from the state for my small business, using my 401K to pay rent. THAT was rough, but I still believed that I had something that people loved and was not going to give up on it. Consignors and shoppers agreed which really fueled me.
We’ve been impressed with NU2U Consignment Fashions, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
NU2U Consignment Fashions and NU2U Home is one company; a female, small, owner operated business. NU2U offers a retail space to sell your pre-loved items for men, women and the home. This is a service where consignors can earn 40% of the price that the store sets to sell their items. In 45 days, if there is anything that did not sell, the owner can have it back. Prices are kept low therefor there’s few discounts that we participate it. I am proud to share that NU2U’s sell through rate is over 75% . I am proud to have made it through some rough patches that could easily have shut down the business. NU2U has shoppers and consignors that began with NU2U in 2013. While there are many on-line options to sell one’s items, not everyone is interested in buying or selling on-line – for those people there are stores like NU2U who offer the in person option of shopping and consigning.
What do you like best about our city? What do you like least?
Jackson is home to Six Flags Great Adventure, Adventure Crossing and near many other tourist destinations that drive traffic to the Jackson Premium Outlet Mall. It’s convenient to get to from major highways. The people of the Jackson community as well as those surrounding it have become our friends. The downfall to Jackson is the fact that it’s a tourist destination and some of the visitors have been disrespectful.
Pricing:
- $10 Lou & Gray top
- $11 Levi’s jeans
- $10 Clarks shoes
- $500 Louis Vuitton purse
- $15 Sterling Silver necklace
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.nu2uconsignmentfashions.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nu2ufashion_/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063493931522
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@nu2ufashions
