After one-of-a-kind fashions are consigned to be resold, they sometimes grace numerous owners prior to becoming retired attire.

Nanci McCalister opened Easy Street for business in 2005. The store carries clothes from junior size "O" through size 3-X. It features everything from designer evening gowns to vintage jewelry to hiking boots.

Receiving 600 new and used items a week, McCalister says her consignment policy results in retail therapy.

"We display a consignor's items for six weeks, and if they sell, we split the price fifty-fifty," she says.

McCalister believes consignors appreciate getting more mileage out of their expensive purchase and relieving themselves of some "I overspent again" guilt in the process.

If the item does not sell, consignors can choose to pick up the item or donate it to charity.

"I always encourage them to donate," she says.

McCalister models what she promotes. Every two weeks she donates 10 bags of items to the South Valley Sanctuary for domestic-violence victims.

"We give it to the ladies who use the clothing for everyday wear, attending church or interviewing for a job," says Christene McTavish, a counselor at the sanctuary. "They're very excited when they know it's Easy Street week."

Whatever clothing is left over is redistributed to Big Brothers Big Sisters or the MS Society.

McCalister also racks up clothing from the Woman to Woman Closet, a community-service program at the University of Utah. Proceeds from items that indigent women are unable to wear for job interviews are used to buy nylons and other undergarments for them. McCalister, in turn, donates many of her business suits that are suitable for job interviews to the program.

Jo Parry of Murray is a regular at Easy Street.

" I bring my clothes here so I can recycle and because Nanci is such an awesome lady," she says. "When I do, I'm actually helping other people who are looking for a job and would have to pay $400 at another place, but can find a suit here for under $50."

McCalister strives to make her store easy to shop with a generous layaway option, return policy and unique signs. Her two signature dressing rooms, titled "Indulge" and "Bloom," come complete with hooks labeled "Possibility," "Love it-gotta have it" and "What was I thinking?" and alleviate sorting nuisances. The rooms are topped off with "browsing robes."

"Men don't browse, but women love the thrill of the hunt," McCalister says. "They are not always going to buy something, but I want their experience to be fun."

When women drop in and talk about their woes, McCalister can use her background in human resources to soothe their souls while she sell skirts.

" I feel blessed that I can be a sounding board for them, although sometimes I wish I had Prozac to give out - or take myself," she admits.

Most of her customers are from Sandy, but a lot of New Yorkers spring into her shop. Others hail from West Valley City, South Jordan, West Jordan and Midway. Every month the Red Hat Society ladies stroll in after their breakfast at a nearby restaurant. Once a giggling church group popped in and bought a silly lingerie item to mail back and forth to each other as a gag gift.

McCalister credits her husband, Jay, for all his behind-the-racks support with promotions and finances. "I could not do this without him," she says.

More than 800 regulars have fallen hard for Easy Street. A quote on a sign hanging near the Blossom changing room might pinpoint the reason: "Enter as strangers - leave as friends."

Where is it?

* Easy Street is at 8665 S. Highland Drive in Sandy. For more information about the consignment shop, call 801-733-9526 or go online at www.easystreetconsign.com.