Being a successful business owner wasn’t new for public relations entrepreneur Beth McRae. But helming the shop she adored as a faithful customer for years was an unexpected first.
“You have to be careful when having these casual conversations with the owner of a boutique because you may end up owning it,” McRae says with a hearty chuckle.
What started out as a laid-back chat evolved into serious business that resulted in McRae’s purchase of High Society Resale in 2022.
“It was a place I loved, a place I knew,” McRae says. “I’ve always been a big resale shopper. I believe in the model and the quality of things you can find in a good treasure hunt.”
High Society originally opened in 1984 and had undergone two ownerships by the time the previous owner told McRae about her intention to sell everything in the shop and close it down when the lease ended.
When McRae asked her to reconsider, she told McRae that she didn’t know of anyone who could take it over.
“That’s when the universe drops something into your lap,” McRae says. “It’s like running a candy store if you have a sweet tooth.”
McRae gave the 4,300-square-foot space a makeover. This included building an office adjacent to the boutique where she runs her public relations firm, The McRae Agency.
She also organized clothing by size, color, and—for high-profile houses—designer to make searching for the perfect piece easier on customers.
In addition to clothing, McRae carries shoes, accessories, and much-coveted handbags. Shoppers can find $25 items, as well as Chanel items in the five-figures range. Lululemon activewear and blue jeans flaunt their style next to formal ball gowns and Prada pumps.
Whether they are previously loved or bear their original store tags, McRae makes sure every item is of excellent quality and meets the standards of her discerning clientele.
“We cater to anything a woman could possibly want to wear,” McRae says.
The boutique allows McRae to be part of a resale industry with a model she embraces—not only for the sustainability aspect but also how it fuels savvy shoppers seeking to invest in their wardrobes with quality clothing and accessories that are better crafted and therefore built to last longer than mainstream department store bargains.
And if the time comes to sell, a profit can be made.
“Because you’re paying a lower amount of money and they sell slightly below market, they can appreciate almost right away,” McRae says. “This happens especially with designer bags and higher-end and unique hard-to-find pieces.”
And at the end of every day, the goal is to offer luxury for less so that everyone who walks out of her doors feels good because they look good.
“What I love about it is that we are part of the sustainability trend and we are promoting reuse, recycle, repurpose,” McRae says. “We want luxury to be available to everyone.”
Donating items that do not sell after a while to one of McRae’s charitable partners allows her boutique to also invest in the community.
“We are supporting very incredible nonprofits and providing them with things that serve the needs of their clientele,” McRae says. “It’s come full circle.”
“Because you’re paying a lower amount of money and they sell slightly below market, they can appreciate almost right away.”