Annie’s Frugal Finery is a consignment store in Whitesburg, Kentucky, located in a former Masonic lodge on Jenkins Road. Many of the details of the lodge remain, with one main change – it’s now painted bright pink.
Debbie Campbell started the business in 2013, naming it after her daughter Annie, who manages the store.
The store features name-brand clothing and accessories from more than 3,000 consigners. In addition to sales at their retail store, they ship all over the world with employees arranging outfits and staging products to post on Facebook, Instagram and other online platforms every day.
Campbell said her number one goal with the store is to provide good jobs in Letcher County – something that’s currently in short supply. She now has six employees whose pay ranges from $10 to $21 an hour, and Annie’s offers 100 percent employer-paid insurance. Through Shaping Our Appalachian Region (SOAR), Campbell connected with the Southeast Kentucky Chamber of Commerce to take advantage of a group discount on health insurance they offer for their members through Anthem.
In addition, Campbell prioritizes paid time off. Part-time employees receive five paid holidays, with full-time employees receiving five paid holidays and paid vacation days.
Campbell is a strong believer in developing leadership skills in her staff and community, so she provides a personal professional development program for her staff, which includes everything from seminars to reading and discussing books together (they recently read Fred Factor).
Her support of development goes beyond her staff and into the larger community. Annie’s Frugal Finery sponsors Feminist Friday, a radio program on Feminist Possum Radio, which airs every Friday from 8-10 am on WMMT 88.7 FM. Most recently, Campbell has worked with MACED on increasing the energy efficiency of the 5,000-square-foot building where Annie’s is located, and the building will soon join several other organizations in Letcher County that have installed solar panels this year.
Investing in employees and the community makes Annie’s Frugal Finery a great example of a business working to build Appalachia’s New Day.
About: Appalachia’s New Day is a new storytelling effort offered by MACED to eastern Kentucky communities. We can work with you to help identify, shape and amplify stories about businesses, programs and initiatives in your community that are helping build a new economy in eastern Kentucky. Read more stories here. Contact us or sign up here if you would like more details.
