Today we’d like to introduce you to Christina Grams.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
My background includes over 20 years of experience as a Physical Therapist Assistant, working in both outpatient and home health settings. My husband, the Fire Chief in Statesboro, is nearing retirement, which prompted us to consider future opportunities. While I thoroughly enjoy patient care, the physical demands of the medical field encouraged me to pursue a less strenuous career path.
We have always harbored a desire to own a business—one that could potentially serve as a legacy for our children. The idea for our venture crystallized a few years ago during a family gathering with my brother-in-law and sister-in-law, who successfully opened an Uptown Cheapskate in Clemson. They highly recommended the concept, believing it would thrive in Statesboro’s college town environment, given the lack of comparable local competition.
After careful research and deliberation, we committed to opening our own store. Having experienced family members in the same franchise system provides invaluable support and a reliable source of advice as we moved forward.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
When embarking on any new venture, there are always bumps in the road. These experiences provide valuable learning opportunities that drive progress. The selection of a brand-new build location necessitated numerous critical decisions. In this context, the support of a franchise with a structured playbook and specific instructions was immensely beneficial.
We had the opportunity to meet face-to-face with the CEOs in Salt Lake City, UT, who provided expert insight and reassurance. The most challenging aspects of the process were navigating the legal requirements to ensure full compliance and securing a SBA loan. The bank will know more about you then you know about yourself.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Uptown Cheapskate sets itself apart from traditional thrift and consignment stores through a combination of an upscale shopping experience and a highly curated inventory of on-trend, brand-name clothing, purses, and accessories. Unlike traditional thrift stores where shoppers might have to dig through cluttered racks, every item at Uptown Cheapskate undergoes a strict quality control process and are hung on the racks by color. Only gently used, current-style, name-brand items in excellent condition make it to the sales floor, ensuring a higher standard of merchandise. The business model specifically targets teens to 30 year olds who are fashion-conscious, value-driven, and eco-conscious. We stock premium brands that appeal to this younger demographic up to 70% off of retail price. Uptown Cheapskate operates on a flexible buy-sell-trade model, offering customers instant cash or 25% more in store credit for their gently used items on the spot. This is distinct from traditional consignment shops that pay only after an item sells. The company emphasizes its role in the circular fashion economy, keeping millions of items out of landfills annually, and has a strong charitable culture,
Pricing:
- We sell items for approximately 1/3 of retail price. Sellers get approximately 1/3 of that for their items.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://uptowncheapskatecareers.careerplug.com/jobs
- Instagram: @uptownstatesboro
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/uptownstatesboroga/
