Prairie Trading Company
Photos By: Emma Highfill
Twenty-three years is a long time for any business to be open, but that’s how long the consignment boutique in Brookwood Shopping Center has had its doors open to capital city customers.
Owner Stephanie Stromgren approaches her family business at 2900 S.W. Oakley Ave. more as a retail boutique and less of a thrift or retail store, and that’s felt in everything in the store, from the dressing rooms to the displays.
The store specializes in more upscale clothing and accessories for women and men and offers some home décor, furniture pieces and art. Most items are pre-owned, and they do carry some vintage, antique and new merchandise.
“Basically, what we carry are top name brands and designer brands that are two to three years old or new that are in excellent condition,” Stromgren said. “For some of the stores that aren’t in Topeka, people can come here and buy items rather than driving to Kansas City. And they can support Topeka and small businesses by doing it. And of course, they’re a lot less expensive.”
Although they’re not all active simultaneously, Stromgren said Prairie Trading Company has more than 3,000 consigners.
“I think that our consigner base is probably the number one thing that makes us stand out because of the types of items we’re able to get,” she said. “We’re able to be really particular because we have a large and loyal consigner base, and I think a lot of that comes from the way we handle them.”
With COVID, Stromgren said many retail stores were short on inventory because of how things closed during one season and opened during another. Stores also suffered from manufacturing and shipping issues. She said she feels lucky in this regard because Prairie Trading Company was great right out of the chute when they reopened.
“[Our inventory] was already in our consigners’ closets,” Stromgren said. “And they spent time while they were at home, organizing and cleaning out stuff. So, we had a huge influx of inventory.”
The store began using consignment kits during the pandemic and continues to use those today. The process involves having everything bagged, sealed and tagged and then brought in by consigners. The bags remain closed for 72 hours before being opened by staff.
