Long before resale became a sustainability buzzword, My Sister’s Closet helped make secondhand shopping feel polished, welcoming and fun. Now, Valley-based Eco-Chic Consignments — parent company of My Sister’s Closet, My Sister’s Attic and Well Suited — is celebrating the 35th anniversary of its luxury resale retailers.

The company was founded in 1991, when sisters Jenny and Ann Siner opened the first My Sister’s Closet in Phoenix. At the time, many resale stores were viewed as dark, crowded and/or hard to navigate. The sisters — neither of whom are involved with the company — opened boutique-style stores that are clean and convenient for consignors. The company looks for merchandise that are also clean, in great shape and trendy. 

“They started doing resale consignment before it was cool,” said Eco-Chic CEO Heather Zorge, who joined the company in December. “My Sister’s Closet is such a well-known, almost iconic brand here in Arizona. I grew up here, and being able to work in the business now is pretty surreal.”

The standard payout is 45% in cash or 55% in store credit once an item sells. Zorge said the immediacy is part of the company’s advantage.

“You can use that as soon as the item sells,” she said. “You could go sell your couch at our Attic and then run across the way into our Closet and buy yourself a new Louis [Vuitton], which is really cool.”

LEARN MORE: Alpacas of Montana: Wool, weather and the will to build

My Sister’s Closet has spawned two other companies. While My Sister’s Closet focuses on women’s apparel, shoes and accessories, My Sister’s Attic offers furniture, art and home décor. Well Suited carries men’s apparel, shoes and accessories.

Eco-Chic now operates eight stores in Arizona, as well as Encinitas and Newport Beach, California. Zorge said the Southern California expansion has been a natural fit, especially because so many Arizonans travel there.

“We love being in Southern California,” Zorge said. “It’s been nice to extend our reach into the Southern California region.”

Zorge said the stores carry everything from designer handbags and gala dresses to workout wear, date-night outfits and home furnishings.

“I hope that they feel welcomed and comfortable,” Zorge said. “We provide an environment where people can come and find things that make them feel good. It also provides an environment where maybe you get to buy something that you never thought you’d be able to.”

Zorge said the business is rooted in trust. Consignors hand over pieces they cared about, saved for or worked hard to purchase, and Eco-Chic’s job is to treat those items with respect.

“One of my sayings in business is ‘We’re stewards, not owners,’” Zorge said. “We’re stewards of people’s hard work and the things that they love.”

If an item does not sell, the Eco-Chic staff asks the consignor to pick it up or donate it.

“We’re committed to every piece having a second life, and as long as that life isn’t the landfill,” Zorge said. “It’s really great.”

Eco-Chic supports My Sister’s Charities, which includes the Arizona Humane Society and women’s causes. In California, it supports Working Wardrobes, which helps people prepare for employment and regain confidence through professional attire and support.

“When they feel good, they do better,” Zorge said. “They’ll show up better and more confident in an interview. I love that we’re a part of that cycle.”

Zorge brings a varied Valley business background to the role. She started her career at PricewaterhouseCoopers after graduating from Arizona State University and later held CFO, COO and CEO roles in several industries, including transportation technology, manufacturing, cybersecurity and veterinary services.

Those experiences, she said, translate well to a multi-site retail operation. Now she focuses on improving processes for employees, consignors and customers while keeping the store experience personal.

Zorge said she regularly works alongside employees in the stores, helping customers, listening to consignors and learning what her teams need.

“I find that I’m a better CEO and leader when I am with my team, helping our customers and our consignors, listening to them,” she said. “My people in my stores are what make this work.”

Going forward, Zorge said 35th anniversary events are in the offing. The company also plans to expand.

“Our customers love the treasure hunt,” Zorge said. “You can come in every day and find something different and something unique.”