ECONOMY
YENTA
HERE AND NOW
Making Lemonade
New local boutiques, businesses and
brands you may not know — but should.
News From
Around Town
By Lynne Konstantin
I
L
oree Wasserman knows that ladies love their Lulu.
And Lululemon, makers of technical athletic apparel
for yoga, dancing and most other sweaty pursuits, knows
that the women (and men) who wear their products want to
look chic while aligning their chakras.
But that style comes at a price — which is where Wasser-
man comes in.
The owner of WeBuyLulu.com will take your new and gently
used Lululemon off your hands in exchange for the immedi-
ate gratification of a check in the mail just days later."It's risk
free — our customers are thrilled because they don't have to
wait for items to sell, like a resale shop,"Wasserman says.
Although Wasserman is based in Highland Park, a Chicago
suburb, she accepts pieces from all over the country, and has
found a growing following in the Detroit area since launching
two months ago. Clients can send her their pieces (at their
own cost); once received, Wasserman makes an offer and the
client can choose to accept (for cash or a WeBuyLulu certifi-
cate) or have their stash returned (at Wasserman's expense).
With a background in retail and management, Chicago-
native Wasserman ran Roots' Birmingham store and oversaw
all of the U.S. locations early in her marriage to her Farmington
Hills born-and-bred husband, Robbie Wasserman.They soon
returned to Chicago, where the couple met.
In 2007, Wasserman's sister came across a barely used Louis
Vuitton handbag that Wasserman had bought on vacation
years before. Suggesting she sell it on eBay, Wasserman's sister
helped her create an account and it sold almost instantly."'
couldn't believe how much I got for it,"Wasserman says. So
she started looking around her house for other luxury labels
collecting dust.
With a helping hand from her husband, the CEO of a propri-
etary trading firm, Wasserman opened Loree's Closet, an eBay
luxury consignment business.
"We get top dollar, because it's more than a retail store —
we have a global audience," Wasserman says. She accepts
items from across the country with bidding starting at $50;
items that sell up to $499 earn clients a 50-percent commis-
sion, and beyond that, clients receive 60 percent.
Among all the high-end brands that come her way, Wasser-
man noticed one that had a consistent turnover: Lululemon.
So she created a separate division under Loree's Closet, focus-
ing solely on the brand — which is so enormously popular
that she is able to buy pieces outright, rather than selling
them on consignment.
"Women live in it, but they also like to stay current each
season' Wasserman says."We give them an opportunity to un-
load their older items, giving them more cash to shop for the
next season, or just a few dollars in the bank. And it's imme-
diate: If clients send us a shipment, we can have an offer for
them within 48 hours, and they get paid. It's win-win:'
Visit WelluyLulu.com (847-579-9630) and LoreesClosetcom(847-748-8451)for
more information.
THE BUZZ
Sparkle
Our favorite shopping picks for women,
men, kids, the home and more.
By Lynne Konstantin
R
ing in the New Year with something
shimmery and bright.
Simple and modern with a
flash of sparkle, jewelry by
Meira T is a favorite of Heidi
Klum, Kim Kardashian and
more. In addition to this 14k
yellow GOLD AND BEZEL-
SET DIAMOND NECKLACE
($645) and 14K white gold and
diamond LOVE NECKLACE
($575), check out her newest
collection at a trunk show Dec.
5 at Tapper's West Bloomfield
location. Tapper's Diamonds &
Fine Jewelry, West Bloomfield,
Novi and Troy (800-337-GIFT;
tappers.com).
40 December 2013
I RED THREAD
Shine in slivers of silver and gold
sequins, supported by a sleek black
leather heel, with J. Crew Collection
SLOANE SEQUIN PUMPS ($328).
Jcrew.com.
Earthy glam:
A ring of
champagne
diamonds
smolder around
a punchy PINK
SAPPHIRE
PENDANT
($895). My
House of Style,
Birmingham
(248-594-7776;
myhouseofstyle.
com).
t's the season to shop, be
it for yourself or for a gift.
Here's some news you can
use: Custom Swimwear by
Exelnt Designs, previously on
the Boardwalk, is now operat-
ing at 5751 E. 13 Mile Road
in Warren, (586) 977-9140,
www.customswimwear.com
... Sample Wearhouse is now
open in Farmington Hills at
33060 Northwestern in West
Bloomfield. Find designer
samples at wholesale price on
women's, juniors and girls...
Perfect Trading Co., 3643 W.
Maple Road, Bloomfield Hills, is
now open on Sunday through
Dec. 25. Great place to find
unique Chanukah presents,
such as customizable phone
skins (see photo) ... Din-
ing out: The Bosco Cafe has
been one of the "in" places in
downtown Ferndale for a great
night out for more than 16
years, but now there are a few
new additions. The Bosco Cafe,
22930 Woodward Ave., has its
own grill for the very first time
and the entire main lounge
area has been updated. Hours
are Tuesday through Saturday
from 5-11 pm; www.facebook.
com/bosco.ferndale ... Here
is a place to buy your holiday
goodies: The Nosh Bake Shop
announces the grand opening
of its online "made-to-order"
bakery with modern flavors
of rugelach, including red
velvet, death by chocolate,
cookies and cream, and PB&J.
Traditional standards, such as
cinnamon raisin, chocolate and
raspberry, are available as well.
Order online at http://
thenoshbakeshop.com . RT
Available at Perfect Trading Co.
www.redthreadmagazine.com