 | | | Photo Sora O'Doherty | | | | | | Owner Janell Lamela recounts how she would watch passersby check out her new shop, but not come in, thinking it was an expensive boutique. Then she put a sign up proclaiming that nothing inside cost more than $40, and suddenly passersby became droppers-in. Lamela, who is also the owner of Doll Face Permanent Cosmetics, had her eye on the vacant premises next door for a while before launching the new shop, which she calls an "exchange shop." It isn't a consignment store but rather an upmarket thrift shop, selling "quality new and gently used items," including home goods, at reasonable prices, according to Lamela.
Lamela and her husband, a San Francisco police officer, have five children and the oldest, a 23-year-old daughter, is an artist who also works at MidMod three days a week. Two of her children are in college and her 14-year-old twins are in middle school. The family lives in Danville.
One thing that Lamela is quite excited about is offering a full range of sizes in the shop, from size 0 through size 22. She accepts donations during business hours and by appointment and also shops for bargains to offer in the store. MidMod is open 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. from Tuesday to Saturday. Appointments can be made by calling (510) 206-0233. |
Lamorinda Weekly, Moraga CA