“Every woman I know has an item or two (or 30) in their closets that they will never wear or wear again,” laughed Shigo. “It’s part of our charm! I simply send out an email to friends a few times a year and ask them to clean out their closets.  Barbara Ann takes clothing, shoes, accessories and jewelry that are clean, in good condition and no more than 3 years old. It’s really easy!”

Kenyon and her husband, Mark, even created a year-round storage space for IronMatt. “I usually only accept seasonal items, but for Matt, I have shorts and summer dresses already upstairs – all ready for 2011!  It was out of necessity, as Amy partnered with a few designers, and we’ve needed to accommodate some big deliveries.  When Sam and Libby Edelman, the shoe designers, signed on to support IronMatt, I received 2 boxes containing nearly 300 pairs of shoes!” Kenyon said.

“The beauty of our relationship with Barbara Ann is that it affects the lives of more than those that give or receive on behalf of IronMatt,” reflected Amy. “Any item not sold within 70 days gets donated to one of three women’s shelters she supports, and she sends formal dresses and shoes to a school in Patterson, New Jersey for the prom and graduation.”

You can visit Barbara Ann’s Consignment Boutique Tuesdays through Saturdays on Main Street in Ramsey. You will notice the only the photograph in the store is one from IronMatt.  The picture is right behind Barbara Ann and she’s right behind us.