Tired of the corporate world, Bill Fowler and his wife Alana decided to go into business for themselves and opened Top Shelf Clothing of Clarkson.
‘I worked for a pharmaceutical company for 13 years,? Bill said. ‘I just wanted to be my own boss and wanted to get away from the corporate red tape. This was an opportunity that opened up.?
Alana said she was all for it.
‘I’m all about change and people. I was up for it just because, why not? Life is short,? she said. ‘Like he said the opportunity came up and we both thought let’s do it. This is our chance. Do it now before 20 years from now when we wish we would have taken that chance. Also, we have a 12-year-old daughter. We threw out the idea to her and she was all for it.?
Offering brands like American Eagle, Hollister, Ed Hardy, Bebe, Lucky, Affliction, and Victoria’s Secret Pink, Top Shelf is a high end resale shop geared toward teenagers, young adults and ‘cool hip moms.?
‘There are a lot of trendy moms in the area,? said Bill.
Alana agreed.
‘If moms come in, most of them find something for them, too,? she said. ‘They’re wearing the same type of brands.?
Bill said they are always putting new items out on the floor.
‘The idea is to keep things current, within 12-18 months,? he said. ‘A lot of people wear their items one or two times and then for whatever reason never wear them again.?
He also said clothes that are brought in for resale are all looked over ‘very meticulously? for stains and holes.
‘We’re pretty selective because I want customers to know they’re getting good quality when they come in,? Alana said.
Bill agreed.
‘We may be a resale shop, but we don’t want to give that image,? he said. ‘We want it to be like the image we’re a mall, but for resale prices.?
Alana said they’ve had great reviews from customers who enjoy coming in just because ‘it’s a cool place to hang out.?
Bill created a spot for the males to relax while their wife or girlfriend shops..
‘I have what I call my ‘Cave Corner? with a TV setup, for the boyfriends or husbands who come in and get bored. They can go sit in the corner and watch TV,? he said. ‘I always appreciate going to the mall where stores have couches where you can sit down.?
Top Shelf is located at 6325 Sashabaw Road by Leo’s Coney Island.
‘It’s our heart and soul now, this is what we do,? said Alana. ‘It’s a lot of fun and it’s great.?