New consignment shop supports community inValley

BY JOHN BRICE

THE LAFAYETTE SUN

VALLEY — Local residents now have another option for affordable clothing and household items with the recent opening of J and
B Consignment Shop and Thrift Store, located in the shopping center at the intersection of Highway 29 and Summerhill Road in Valley.

Owner Tonya Bailey, originally from Cobb County, Georgia, relocat- ed to the Valley area after accepting a position at the Kia manufacturing facility in West Point. Bailey said the move made sense

both professionally and personally.

“Working in West Point, it has been lovely,” Bailey said. “I came from Cobb County, and the commute was a little too busy, so
I moved down here. It
has been wonderful. I
am enjoying the area and meeting a lot of people from Valley and West Point.”

Bailey said her shop operates through a mix of consignment and donated items, allowing her to keep prices affordable while maintaining quality.

“In here, what I do now is sell consignment and donations given by cus- tomers,” she said. “I’ve met a lot of people and built a base of friendship

here. People want to see the store stay open, so they bring their goods and donate items. I carry women’s clothing, chil- dren’s clothing and baby items. My prices are $5 for jeans and $2 for tops. I want it to be affordable but also good quality — that’s my main point.”

Building relationships with customers, Bailey said, has become one of the most rewarding parts of owning the store.

“Having a consignment store, I meet people face to face. It’s personal,” she said. “Sometimes people come in and spend hours just talking. You don’t always know what people are going through. Some- times just a smile, a hello or a conversation means

a lot. Before you know it, you’ve built a friendship. I love it — I wouldn’t miss a day of it.”

Bailey said the sense
of community she has experienced in Valley has made a lasting impression.

“Here in Valley, people are very attentive. They know who you are and

welcome you,” she said. “People cherish friend- ships here. They know each other, grew up together and raise their kids together. Being here has been a safe haven for me. They stop by just to say hello or to see what I have in the store, and they tell others to come by. I love the people in Valley — they really do share the love.”

Looking ahead, Bailey said she hopes her busi- ness can become a source of support for those in need.

“I want to start a pro- gram to help single moms and families by giving back dry goods,” she said. “In a couple of weeks, I plan to revamp the store and offer fresh produce.
I want to be able to give fruits and vegetables to families who need them. Everything here was given to me, and I want to give it back. God said to pave the way so we can bless somebody else. I want to be a blessing to families in Valley and West Point who may need help.”