Feroce Luxury Consignment Boutique is the newest business venture for Kelley Costa of Allison Park.
Costa, a handbag aficionado, is never caught out-and-about without a beautiful handbag, and she’s on a mission to make owning a quality handbag easier and more budget-friendly.
She opened Feroce earlier this month at 405 Freeport Road in Aspinwall.
“Every year, I buy myself a few name-brand handbags. My general wardrobe is a hoodie and leggings, but you won’t see me without a name-brand handbag,” Costa said.
Through her boutique’s consignment concept, customers can book an appointment to show the items they would like to consign.
Costa, 40, plans to focus on luxury handbags, scarves, wallets and higher-end jewelry, but clothing also is accepted.
Besides Feroce, Costa owns two Churn Homemade Ice Cream & Coffee shops — at Hartwood Towne Centre in Indiana Township and along East Carson Street in the South Side.
Costa grew up in South Park and graduated from South Park High School in 2002.
She earned a triple-major degree (entrepreneurship, marketing and accounting) from Duquesne University in 2006 and worked a decade in the corporate tax industry.
Costa chose Feroce for the business name after hosting an exchange student from Italy.
Feroce means fierce in Italian.
“I’m very extroverted and she was a bit shy, and she always called me feroce so that’s how it came out,” Costa said.
At Feroce, consigned designer handbag brands include Louis Vuitton, Prada, Free People, Michael Kors, Burberry, Tory Burch and more.
All of the bags are vetted for authenticity and are priced about 50% less than if purchased new.
“That’s my big fear — is that someone will bring one in (a fake) and I’ll have to tell them,” Costa said.
Since the grand opening, business has been steadily increasing.
“We want to get traffic in here,” Costa said. “Bring us your once-loved pieces.”
Costa signed a three-year lease and said the Aspinwall community has been welcoming.
“People are very friendly, and everyone seems to be very inviting and supportive (of) small business,” she said.
The goal is to have swift consignment action on the goods.
“We’re trying to flip people’s stuff in two weeks. Our contract is 60 days, and it’s a 50-50 handbag split,” Costa said.
All handbags are cleaned and assigned an A- or B-level rating pertaining to quality — an industry consignment ranking standard.
All items must be clean, without holes and in overall good condition.
Unsold items are returned to their owner or the owner can “donate” the item to the Animal Lifeline Pittsburgh thrift store, a nonprofit dedicated to helping at-risk animals.
The thrift store at 139 E. Eighth Ave. in Homestead sells donated items with the proceeds helping pets, Costa said.
“I’m an advocate for animals,” she said. “I love that — animals and children — anything to help them out.”
Costa chose Aspinwall because of its walkability factor and well-established residential community.
Her message to new customers?
“If you want to freshen up your wardrobe, we’re the place to come. You can find things cheap and not drop $200 bucks,” Costa said.
To schedule a consignment appointment, email feroceconsignment@gmail.com or call 412-426-9888. Store hours are noon to 5 p.m. Wednesdays through Fridays and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays.