A chat with Greg Plawski Design Plus Consignment Gallery
www.designplusgallery.com
Q. I have to say that this is more of an upscale gallery than a consignment shop. Every time I stop by I always see something unique and wonderful in your shop. How did you get started?
I was born in Poland and grew up in the Communist era when there was virtually nothing in stores. I remember my mom and grandmother dragging me from my bed in the middle of the night, so we could get a good spot in line in order to get toilet paper or sugar. Growing up in a place where I had nothing made me desire and appreciate things of beauty. After getting my Masters Degree in Marketing and Management I was sponsored and offered a management position in a high-end second hand retailer and moved to United States. After seven years of working for the company and then trying new things I decided to open Design Plus Consignment Gallery, a high-end consignment showroom where we surround ourselves with beautiful things, recycled treasures from and for the community, all at unbeatable prices.
Q. I understand that you now have 2 locations and have expanded the store in SF. Tell me about that
The store in San Francisco has been open for over three years and San Rafael for over a year. A few months ago our San Francisco location expanded from 4,000 sq feet to 6,000 sq feet by adding the adjacent storage next door. After removing the walls and remodeling, we became the biggest high-end consignment gallery in the city. Both of our locations are quite unique. San Rafael showroom used to be Litchfield’s Bermuda Palms, a renowned resort and nightclub from the 1950′s to 70′s, where top bands like the Grateful Dead, Janis Joplin, Van Morrison, Frank Zappa, Boz Scaggs, Leon Russell, Linda Ronstandt, Pink Floyd, Van Morrison and others used to play. Fun place with lot's of history.
Q So describe for our audience what type of items they can find in your store?
We are very eclectic with pieces of furniture and art from all styles and from all over the world. From modern to antiques, to contemporary to traditional, from mid century to transitional, from rustic to industrial, we have it all. Many customers love to shop with with us because everybody can find something interesting and affordable at the same time. Our inventory changes all the time and new shipments are coming every day. We've been working with over a thousand consignors, which are individuals, showrooms, artists, local business, collectors, designers and from some we are getting literally hundreds of items. Sometimes our customers can run into famous actors or politicians who are our regular customers and consignors as well. You can simply find the unexpected at Design Plus.
Q. Now you’re a brick and mortar business which means that you have overhead to worry about, a staff ,insurance etc. Has it been difficult keeping the doors open in this recovering economy?
It's been challenging to start and run a new business in such an economy. There is always something to worry about, a bill to pay, a new challenge that needs to be overcome. But if you really love what you do and you are excited about it, like we are, I think you can overcome everything and the joy of seeing your business grow, gives you more strength to deal with difficulties along the way.