PERHAM — When Perham community members feel a passion and see a need, they step up to fulfill them. Jodi Roy, a new community business owner, did just that when she decided to open a consignment shop — called Back on the Rack — after the other one in town closed.
"This was something I wanted to do for like five years," Roy shared. For a while, this consignment shop was just an idea in her mind while she was working in the school district. She and her family moved to Florida for about a month, and, when they came back, she knew it was time to realize that idea.
She started conducting research on the consignment industry and got in contact with community members who could help her get the store on its feet. She soon found that a unit next to the Perham Pizza Ranch was available, and before she knew it, Back on the Rack was taking shape.
When Roy first got a hold of the space, there was nothing there. While there was a wall against Pizza Ranch, there wasn't even a wall on the other side. The tile flooring from the old grocery store was even still there. The tiles were soon removed by machine, but most of the construction work was completed by Roy and her husband.
"We had to redo everything inside," Roy explained. "My husband has been amazing. He has done all of this. He sprayed the ceiling. He studded all the walls. He put the walls up. He put the flooring in. He has done everything. I couldn't have done this without him, so that's been really, really great."
Even the electricity had to be installed from scratch. Some experts came in to complete HVAC work, and a dressing room was even constructed. Once the bones of the store were all put together, it was time for interior design work to begin.
A lover of vintage aesthetics, a lot of the furniture and decor was either found for free, passed on to Roy or purchased secondhand. Roy restored a lot of these pieces herself. Chicken wire designs, used to hold bags and other items for sale, add to the rustic vibe of the space. Behind the front desk, are signs of Roy's personal mottos and even a Strawberry Shortcake doll, a character she has always loved.
"There's been quite a few tears and quite a few laughs," Roy said about the construction process. "In the long run, it has really come together."
A majority of all the decor is from Perham. The clothing racks that sit on display in the center of the room, holding all the pieces for sale, are even locally sourced. The items found at Back on the Rack — in consignment store style — are sold to Roy from community members who no longer need them.
To ensure quality, Roy inspects all the clothes brought in to her. She doesn't accept anything with bad odors or pilling clothes. All items are freshly laundered then put "back on the rack" for sale. All different types of items, including Perham merch, can be found in the store.
Roy even has a plan for certain items that don't sell for a long period of time. Since she spent many years in the school district, she's seen a need in the community. "I networked with a bunch of teachers in the area in different towns around here that will get a hold of me if their kids or kids' families need anything," she explained. From there, she'll give them what's needed. This way, she knows that the items are going directly toward someone who needs them.
Starting Tuesday, Aug. 30, through Thursday, Sept. 1, Back on the Rack will hold a soft opening. Then, the store will officially open either Saturday, Sept. 3, or Tuesday, Sept. 6.
To welcome Roy to the business community, several area organizations have donated gift baskets and gift cards. Through the first two weeks, starting in September, Roy will host a promotion where customers can sign up for a chance to win these gifts.
Roy's decision to open a consignment store comes from a love for them. "Why spend $50 on a pair of pants that you can get for $15?" She said. "It's just such a better deal. You know what I mean? I'd rather get a bargain for my buck."
The community seems to agree because while a few people have already asked about employment, Back on the Rack isn't hiring at this time. For now, it's entirely family-run between Roy, her husband, and her two kids.
While Roy's consignment waiting list is currently quite long, once it thins out, she can be contacted to make consignment appointments, likely to be held on Mondays.
Back on the Rack can be found at 710 Third Avenue in unit 2 next to the Pizza Ranch in Perham. For more information or to book consignment appointments, reach out to Jodi Roy at 218-234-1012.
"The community here has been absolutely amazing," Roy shared, reflecting on the process of developing her own business. "(Perham) is just a different atmosphere. They're just so good … I think that they are just so amazing, you know?"