Today we’d like to introduce you to Catriona Whitehead.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Imagine growing up with a steady stream of hand-me-downs from three, cool, older sisters, an effervescent grandmother, and a stylish mom. I played dress-up everyday, the variety in my wardrobe was unreal. As you can imagine, when I came upon my first secondhand shop at 13, I was engrossed. The system made so much sense to me: Sell what you no longer want, buy what you do want, inexpensive for the expensive, no long-term commitment, no waste. An endlessly sustainable cycle of dress-up for real life.
Comically, while I continued styling myself, and later my friends and peers, it didn’t occur to me that this could be a career until after I had graduated from college. So I started working as a Personal Stylist for J.Crew while getting a Masters in Fashion Apparel Studies at Philly U. (now Jefferson University). When I was done, my now-husband and I moved to Media where I started personal styling independently, working from home with our first child. But the gig wasn’t satisfying that inner fire secondhand shops had instilled in me so long ago. It’s my wonderful husband’s fault–my shop.
He saw my vision before I did and suggested I check out a retail space that was available in town. When I stepped inside, I remembered my favorite consignment shop growing up, Designer Resale, and it’s badass owner, Tiina Hayden. She taught me a lot and had prepared me well. When I asked my husband what had processed him to suggest the space, he said he was thinking about how happy I was when I was working at Designer Resale. I opened Magic Threads and I can’t imagine doing anything else. Thank you, village.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
The first challenge was learning I was pregnant with our second right before I signed my lease agreement. Once I wrapped my head around it, I reasoned to my husband, “It’s only going to be harder to open a business once this baby comes out. So, now’s the moment.”
Challenge number two was lock-down. We all remember COVID and the casualties of thousands of small businesses that resulted. During the four months the shop was closed I leaned into our social media presence. Posting styling videos with shop goods and doing a lot of curbside pickup/delivery. When the shop was permitted to re-open, I had a stronger online revenue stream than before. It ended up being a growth opportunity for me. I feel fortunate.
The third obstacle I’m currently living, actually. I purchased a retail space and am in the stages of rehabilitating it before I can move shop. I am incredibly grateful to be in my position, and this has been the most difficult challenge by far. This old building needs much more TLC than could have been known. It was still the right decision to buy it, so I’m rolling with the punches as best I can.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
The offering: Magic Threads is a small, curated, consignment shop of adult’s clothes, shoes, bags, jewelry, and accessories. Focused on providing an eclectic range of styles for casual, business casual, going out, athletic, athleisure, luxury, and vintage. Frequent brands you’ll see are Free People, Anthropologie, Lululemon, Dr. Martens, Louis Vuitton, Gucci, LOFT, GAP, and boutique brands.
Shopping experience: Customer feedback reflects that I am known for creating a safe and welcoming atmosphere that encourages both window shopping and focused styling service, depending on your preference. Seating is available for those interested in just chilling out while others shop.
Most proud of: I’ll never get tired of hearing how awesome my selection is or how a client’s favorite pieces came from Magic Threads. But the one that really makes me proud is when a customer tells me how embraced they feel when they’re in Magic Threads. That folks of all sizes and gender feel safe and encouraged to explore without judgement. This confirms the very atmosphere I have worked to create.
Location: Currently located Inside the Media Town Mall at 211 W. State St in Media, PA with an expected move to 20 S. Orange St in Media by the end of October 2026.
Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
That there will always be more learning. That I can’t hold onto systems and strategies that start hindering the growth of my business, no matter how much I don’t want them to change.
Pricing:
- On average $25 = 1.5 items $35 = 2 $45 = 2.5 $50 = 3
- In-Store Private Styling Session $50/hr + cost of items purchased
- In-Home Styling Session $125/hr
- In-Home Purging Session $125/hr
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/magicthreadsconsignment/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/magicthreadsconsignment
- Yelp: https://m.yelp.com/biz/magic-threads-consignment-boutique-media
- Other: Magic Threads Consignment Boutique https://share.google/7iZzFKqCWQRLA1u2N
