When Laura Kappus was young, her mother taught her a lesson that’s proven valuable in adulthood.

“My mom was always like, ‘Go to the sale rack,’” she said. “I don’t think I’ve ever paid full price for anything.”

Kappus’ determination to sniff out good deals, however, did not preclude her from developing a taste for name-brand fashion. As much as she wanted to save a few bucks, she also wanted the Louis Vuitton purse on her shoulder and the Prada sweater in her closet.

It’s no surprise, then, that she has always done most of her shopping in consignment stores, where patrons can often find like-new goods for a fraction of their original cost. Now, she’s taken it a step further. She recently opened Urban Renewal, a consignment women’s clothing store on Sidewinder Drive.

Kappus said she’s picky about what items she sells. The shop offers brands such as Gucci, Elizabeth and James, DVF and Rag and Bone, and many of the items are priced at less than half of what they would cost in regular stores.

“When you get a pair of Rag and Bone boots for $175 versus $475, that’ll make your day,” she said.

Women can do more than shop at the store, though. They can also bring in their own clothing for Kappus to sell. The clothing must be trendy, in season and like-new, but Kappus offers consignors 40 percent of profits for items they bring in. Consigners can track the clothes they’ve submitted online and receive either a check from Kappus or store credit, which comes with a 10-percent discount on other items in the store.

“It’s a great way to shop and keep your closet fresh,” she said. “You keep your stuff moving and buy new stuff while you can.”

As well as promising high-end clothes, Kappus assures that the experience will be first-rate, too. She’s always had a love for styling other women, and has been guiding her friends on shopping trips to Salt Lake City for years. Now, she packs that passion into the small space of Urban Renewal.

“It’s like coming in to a little boutique in New York with your own personal shopper,” she said. “I know every piece in here. I’ve had moms and daughters come in and spend a couple hours, and we’ll dress them in the dressing room. They kind of lose themselves in the store, even though it’s small. It’s just a fun experience for them, and I’ve had so much fun, too.”

Kappus said when the store is established, she’d like to provide even more personalized shopping services. And, if she ever expands into a larger space, she would enjoy offering men’s clothing, as well.

For now, though, she is content where she is. The shop is located across the hall from a beauty salon, Angela’s Studio 101, and having women filtering in and out throughout the day creates a vibrant energy, she said. Shoppers stop by before or after their hair appointments, and will even come in with foil in their hair while they’re waiting for their color treatments from the salon to set in.

“I really like the camaraderie with the women,” she said. “I’ve worked on Main Street, and when no one is around, it’s dead. But you’ve always got women here and it’s really fun.”

Kappus has been pleased with the reception the store has received since opening in August. She has delighted in watching women receive the same satisfaction she gets when she finds a good deal on a pair of pants or high heels. Simply put, seeing women feel happy makes her happy.

It’s that feeling, even more than her love of fashion, that made her open the shop, and she hopes to have it often, as more Parkites discover Urban Renewal.

“It’s important for women to feel really good about themselves,” she said. “Dressing up and feeling good about what you put on, it really creates who you are. You’re making a statement about your personality. I think it helps give women a sense of confidence and a boost in their self-esteem. I’ve dresses so many women, of so many sizes, and all of them feel beautiful in the end.”

Urban Renewal
2015 Sidewinder Drive
435-640-2636