Staff photo by Fritz Busch Gypsy Girl Consignment Boutique owner Amy Midtbruget of New Ulm stands in her new store at 21 Minnesota Street North, New Ulm.

NEW ULM — A new store has opened downtown in the former Retzlaff Hardware building, and it is looking to fill an artisan gap with their unique business model.

Gypsy Girl Consignment Boutique is holding a grand opening Saturday, Aug. 26 at 21 N. Minnesota Street, Suite A.

A soft store opening took place last week. Store owner Amy Midtbruget said she got the idea to open a store and waited till there was a good place to put it. “The building became available to lease so I jumped on it,” she said.

“I’ve always had a love for shopping, a stylish flair, and a heart for my community,” she said. “Gypsy Girl will consign and sell women’s and men’s clothing, home decor, and hand-made craft items from incredibly talented local artisans. There will be something for everyone. It’s nice for me to be able to be more a part of this community. Bring something to them they didn’t currently have.” she added.

The store will have some items there on consignment. Midtbruget explained what the rules are for these products.

“People can call and make an appointment to bring consignment items,” she said. “We take up to 25 items at a time. We price them and put them out for sale for 90 days. They receive a percentage for what is sold every month. And at the end of the 90 days if they do not reclaim them we will donate them to the area thrift stores.”

Current items made by consigned artisans include signs, wooden art candle decor, greeting cards, floral arrangements, wooden earrings, and soap. Some of it is handmade from goat milk by Linden Livestock, a local veteran and women-owned business in the Hanska area, features 10 different scents. Operating a consignment store has its ups and downs.

“We have a variety of items offered and we offer name brand clothing at a very discounted price,” Midtbruget said. “We carry sizes from extra small to 3X and mens sizes. [An] obstacle is how to inventory many people’s different items. Its not like a bulk order of the same item. Every item is individually inventoried and price put on it. That is time consuming.”

Midtbruger is also the general manager at Olson Auto in Courtland. Managing her job and this business is no small task, but Midtbruget said she has help in her endeavor. “I have a full time retail associate,” she said. “I have had some family and friends volunteer to help with some of the duties while I am working my job. I am usually there on my evenings and my days off.”

Entering the store, a display of jewelry, earrings and necklaces is front and center. Handmade signs and candles are on the left.

Other items include rings, purses, and handbags.

Many colorful dresses, shoes, undergarments, coats, jackets and other items such as pillows, floral arrangements, cups and plates can be found.

The store is accepting consignments. Interested people are asked to contact the store to schedule an interview.

Store hours are 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday and Thursday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday.

For more information, visit https:gypsygirlconsignmentboutique.com/, call 507-276-6251 or email gypsygirlconsignmentboutique@gmail.com. The store can also be found on Facebook and Instagram. The mailing address is Gypsy Girl Consignment Boutique, PO Box 531, New Ulm, Mn 56073.