Business notebook: Consignment Boutique offers ‘Shabby Chic'

WARWICK - “If you shop at Neiman’s, Saks or Barneys,” the Web site for Shabby Chic Consignments Boutique advertises, then “you have what we need.” On Saturday, Aug. 30, Hauda Ward, owner of Shabby Chic Consignments Boutique, opened her new shop at 26 Ronald Reagan Boulevard in Warwick’s Merchant Square shopping plaza. Merchant Square is just off Kings Highway between the Village of Warwick and Sugar Loaf. “Shabby Chic Consignment Boutique strives to have the very best merchandise to please our shoppers,” said Ward. She explained that the shop carries fine ladies clothing to include pre-teen, juniors, misses and plus size. “We carry a large variety of authentic Coach , Prada, Dooney Bourke, Tiffany, Chanel, Mary Frances and Brighton Handbags, shoes and jewelry, she said. “We pride ourselves on providing the stylish woman with brand name and designer label clothing and accessories.” Ward recently owned a similar shop in nearby Vernon, N.J., now a “sister store” under new ownership. She stresses that her new Warwick boutique is totally different from the traditional consignment shop you may have experienced. “We want our customers to have the ‘boutique’ experience,” she said, “which means a pleasant shopping experience coupled with personal service and the opportunity to take home apparel and accessories that are in style, but most importantly affordable.” Shabby Chic promises to be a neighborhood boutique where one can browse and be comfortable shopping along with the convenience of being close to home. For those who have clothes to consign, however, Shabby Chic only accepts name brand items that are in perfect condition. In addition to managing her store, Ward is also has a mission to support local charities. While operating her business in Vernon, for example, she offered her store as a food drop for Harvest House, a permanent community lunch program or “soup kitchen” founded by high school students for area residents. Last year Ward hosted a vendor fair to support the organization and she has continued to arrange for a percentage of her sales to be donated to Harvest House. “I plan to do the same thing here in Warwick,” said Ward. “I will continue to support Harvest House but I will also support local charities in Warwick such as the Food Pantry.” Ward invites local residents to stop by, visit her new shop and say, “hello.” For consignment information, call 988-CHIC or visit www.myshabbychicboutique.com. Ribbon-cutting On Wednesday, Aug. 28, Warwick accountant Paul Rafanello, CPA, PLLC, officially opened his new office at 26 Main St. Rafanello, a graduate of Pace University, has been an accountant for 20 years and is currently the owner of his own CPA firm. In addition to running his accounting office, Rafanello serves on the Board of Directors for the Warwick Valley Chamber of Commerce and facilitates the organization’s monthly networking events. He is also a Leadership Orange graduate and founder of the Orange Networking Alliance. For information call 986-8776 or visit www.prcpa.biz. Simulcast WVT Communications, formerly known as the Warwick Valley Telephone Company, and Warwick Radio WTBQ (1110 AM/99.1 FM) recently celebrated their first month of live simulcast of the Frank Truatt Morning Show on both WTBQ and WVT TV Channel 12. WVT’s local TV channel first went on-air in 2002 when the company launched its Digital TV service. WTBQ began as an AM station in 1969 and also began broadcasting on FM this past February. Both the TV and radio stations focus on local news and events. The Frank Truatt show plays host to local personalities and features coverage of politics and current events. “We are very excited about expanding our listening audience to WVT’s channel 12 viewers,” said Truatt. “This is certainly a first for Orange County and northern New Jersey. We’ve already received many calls from our radio listeners thrilled about our new video broadcast.” Warwick Radio WTBQ broadcasts a mix of local and national talk and news. Overnight the station plays a unique mix of music including favorite tunes, plus some its listeners may not have heard in years. “Most importantly,” said Truatt, “these songs are guaranteed to bring back some great memories. Give WTBQ a listen in the evenings and overnight for a mix of Top 40 hits from our 6,000-song music library. It’s the way radio used to be.” WVT Communications is a leading edge voice, video, Internet and wireless provider serving consumers and businesses in the tri-state region for more than 100 years. “The ability to blend two types of media to deliver information to our community about issues that are important to us is unique,” said WVT Communications CEO Duane Albro. “It was inevitable that we take advantage this opportunity.”