We pooled our resources and created a new business venture -- one that benefits both Bellevue and our families. We opened a clothing, jewelry, furniture and housewares consignment store. After finding a spacious Main Street storefront with expansive front display windows and doing some painting and sprucing up, we opened Classy Closet & Boutique in March. Emphasizing quality merchandise, we call ourselves "uptown girls with downtown prices". Bellevue welcomed our business which already has over 150 consignors and many customers. The long, narrow shop is divided into well-marked sections, and clothes are not only hung neatly on racks but sized as well. This business restored life to one of Bellevue's most famous landmarks, the venerable Lucke Brothers Shoe & Clothing Store -- for many years the oldest family-owned business in Iowa. "The community has been great to us. We have regular customers from Bellevue, other surrounding towns and several states," Budde-Heiar said. The current economy has benefited the new business. "I think the weak economy is a factor in motivating people to bring us stuff to make some money and for people looking for prices way lower than retail," Putman said.
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