I Love Palm Beach

Repurpose Your Treasures or Search For A Unique Find: Local Personality Lisa Lamka of Rechic, Unique Boutique

March 24, 2020 Lisa Lamka Season 1 Episode 4
I Love Palm Beach
Repurpose Your Treasures or Search For A Unique Find: Local Personality Lisa Lamka of Rechic, Unique Boutique
I Love Palm Beach +
Become a supporter of the show!
Starting at $3/month
Support
Show Notes Transcript

Meet Lisa, also fondly known as the hat lady! From spending  her high school years in Palm Beach County to adventures all over the US she has returned home to her beloved Palm Beach and has started an amazing adventure in collecting and selling unique treasures! Learn about her journey and her special store in Lake Park, Florida

Support the show

spk_0:   0:04
Welcome to I Love Palm Beach. We talk about everything Palm Beach County, Florida has to offer and why you should make it your home. We're a team of real estate professionals who love where we live, and we want to show you why you will love Palm Beach, too. You'll learn about our hobbies and our lifestyle stories for fun and amazing things to do. Follow in our search for stories to find the best of whether it's a specific food or service. Palm Beach has it all and does it bigger and better. Or follow our local heroes stories to discover the amazing people who call Palm Beach home. And now here's your host, Rebecca G. A. Cobra.

spk_1:   0:59
Hi, I'm here today with one of our local personalities here in Palm Beach County. Lisa Lamb, CA Malissa. It has been a along through Palm Beach County resident, and she has a very unique store. She's often noticed the half lady. You'll see her around Northern Palm Beach, County and West Poem in all the way. Where do you venture to? Wasn't home is probably your Oh, I would say anywhere from Lake Worth, all the way to Stuart okay. And she's always wearing a beautiful hat. She's a beautiful little funny lady. She has a fabulous store called Re Sri Chic. Unique boutique. And I've been there many times. Then course she's got amazing hats, tons of beautiful vintage jewelry. She has some vintage clothing, lots of other stuff. But I wanted to ask her about how she ended up in Palm Beach County. And when she first got here, Well, I actually, uh, went to high school here. Well, I started it, I guess Middle school it, uh, how walk ins he's grade and then to have school here and that Beach Gardens High school before years. I hate to say how when I graduated, but it was set. Don't have It's not really dating myself, but that's okay. And then I moved away, went to college, it university itself. Florida and I was Tampa for eight years, and I moved back here, started like i Ted career. And then I met my husband and we decided to move to Indiana, and I was all over the country and sold all over the world. And then I decided to move back to this area because I figure This is home. I sell a family here, and my parents were buried here. So to meet Palm Beach County is and I'll be here now. It'll be 99 years of June. So Yeah, I think I've been here about 10 years myself. My parents have been invoked. I think they've been down here for 30 some years now. So I always came back and forth and I ended up settling in the north part of the county. But I just love it. I've been all over Florida, and I think it's a special place. What's made you drawn to it besides going to high school and having friends and family? What do you find that special about the county? Well, I love the water, and I love boating. My dad was both business, so it's kind of my blood. And this is one of the best places for boating. Yeah, I don't think people understand. We've got a beautiful special color to our water. We do. I ended up going down to the park. Do Boy, am I saying that right? I went down there the other day, the day they were closing the beaches just to see a one last time, and it was the most gorgeous color of turquoise that day, and I tried to capture in a phone. Oh, and it just didn't even you can't even imagine, and it's right through it. The enlightened people could be in the Bahamas in a short period of time, but we're so lucky. I mean, it's just really, really beautiful. And it's a beautiful area and the weather's always nice. He led it against me a little bit. Now that I'm older, sex fuels more, but you can't ask for nicer weather. We complain when it rains. It's much better than having to shovel snow. So I really think I could handle them right. One of the funniest things I think. Here's when it rains here. It's almost like a snow day. It iss I mean, it's amazing because people drive awful because they don't want to drive in the rain and they don't go out because it's frightening and it's like it's just rain. It's okay to get west. It won't kill you. I know. But you know, we have such glorious weather. We don't have to go out if we don't want Thio. You know you're right about the accidents. You go to restaurants, nobody's in it. If you want to get a reservation, it's on a rainy night. That's it. You know, it's kind of fun, but also what's nice about the Syria? Because there's lots to do here. There's lots of entertainment that's lots of restaurants to eat here. I mean, it's a very nice community guards that it's very friendly, and I've lived in all kinds of states all over the country, and I've never lived in this area that had so many networking groups and things to do. I mean, if you want to be busy here, you could be busy. 24 7 I agree. Sometimes there are weekends where you can't do everything. There are events I've never been able to intend The Abaco Italian vest. Yes, because there's always so many other things going that weekend. There's just a lot to do, and I like it here, too. It's more all ages. I don't feel like it's just retirees and snowbirds. We actually have jobs and businesses on that. No, you have a very unique business. So I'd like to hear about how you found at this and tell us a little bit more about your store. Well, re chic, unique boutique is definitely my baby. I've been an eye tech construction and manufacturing, and this is definitely it's just this is just fun. Seems a lot more fun, and I love it. And, like Rebecca said, I sell every purpose ing salt shakers and to find jewelry or antique hand bags Sterling night make them into necklaces. I take a lot of unusual pieces that we would never use the can and make them into jewelry because they are part of our history. I have jewelry that goes as far back as the lady hundreds. I have hats that goes far back. It's 19 twenties. Same with handbags. I do a lot of Lucite handbags, which people look at them might go. My God, what is that? And it's so beautiful. I mean, the items that I sell are so unique. I don't sell as many clothes as I used to, because unfortunately, with vintage clothing, they're very room. I only have one, and they'd always would People would get mad at me because it's like but I love it. I want it. It has to fit I shouldn't see only when they have I can't get it for her side. I'm sorry. So that got a little frustrating. So I don't do as much in the clothing business. But I do a lot with accessories and gloves. Hats. I have 600 hats in my hat collection and I have some for men as well. And it's just fun. I want people to come in and have fun in my store. I serve refreshments for my customers so that they could be relax and have fun. I think I'll play dress up. I have women who come in and say to me, Lisa, I would never wear that. I had a woman one time come in and said she needed a hat for luncheon and I said, OK, great. And I said, You know, I think this happened. Look great. I was pink. It was really odd looking, she says. I would never wear that. I said, Okay, that's fine. I said, Look, I have 600 hats in here, so try on this money as you want. She was your girlfriend, and her girlfriend ended up buying as well, but anyway, so she tried in about six or 10 hats, and she says, You know what? I just don't know. Michael's Isis. Look, just do me a favor. It's not going to cost you any money. Your hair's already wrecked from drying on the other 10 hands. I should just try on this peak cap. She tried it on, she says, Oh my God, I love it I said, See, sometimes you have to think outside the box and you had the vision for her that she didn't have for herself. I'd say I feel a little silly and halves myself, though I do wear him on occasion. The guy like a small head. When I put him on, I just feel like I drowned. You could probably choose something for me that I would feel. I got a little in there and I also have a trick to make that small. Let me make that's bigger. But I could make Rosie. I do have a truth. Yeah, I have a lot of hair, so it's misleading. My head is really slowly entered up. Well, I have a small head, too, but but there's a way to make them and get them to fit you and I will tell people I don't sell things to people unless they love it. I wanted people to love what they live because if they love it, the wear it and if they don't love it, they won't wear. But when you love it and people compliment you on it, then hopefully I'll get some kind of Yeah, absolutely. And that's what I want men. So if somebody if you don't love it, I tell people, Don't buy it like seeing me while I'm not sure it would be not sure. Then don't buy. I want you to be 100% sure. And if you're not sure, then don't take because it'll just sit somewhere in your jewelry box or closet. Hang on it on it. Look, I don't want that. I want the publicity that where you bought it so that when somebody says to you Oh, my God, I love that Oh, that's what I want And that's what my customers say to me, you know? Oh, I love it, I love it. I wear it all the time and I get all these compliments. It's like, Well, that's great. I don't tell them where you got it re chic, unique critiques I could get. This isn't there. But I'm gonna tell you a funny story. About three years ago, I bought a pair earrings from you. Yes, and I loved them. But every time I went to wear them, I felt like, Oh, it's too formal like you were. Well, my office recently had an awards ceremony in the Roy twenties. Oh, what was the theme? But and I look at those earrings every week, I keep him out where I can say right, and I finally found the best years and got to wear my lovelier. Oh, fainted. So I thought you might appreciate the story. You appreciate your story, and I hear stories like that all, and that's what I want. And men are also very good customers, because when they tell me what their wife's like, I then I know what you pick up, and I have men who tell me that kind of been married to my wife for 25 years. It's the first time she's like the gift I bought her so formal while I'm just lying from you because you seem to get it right, and I do free gift wrap. Nothing we used to store unless it's wrapped. I go way above customer service because that's what's important to me. I mean, my customers the most support person, because it's hard and small businesses, especially in these times, to get customers. So every customers untreated, very special. Whether you spend $5 with me or $5000 you're all going to get the same tree. And I do take all major credit cards and debit cards, and I also doing 90 day layaway. And I do that because I own everything in his door. So I can do that. I also donate a lot two different charitable organizations, either by doing that gift certificate, giving a gift, doing a silent auction for them, hosting an event in my store and giving back 50% of the total sales for that particular scent. And so and I supply all the refreshments, they just supply the people. The credit cards. That's right. Let me get 15% best, and I write your check that evening. So I know you donated for my charity. A couple from Sergio worked with place that hope. Yes, so yeah, that absolutely she does that all the time, but they were in these crazy times right now. Store's still open. Yes, it is. The people are still coming in shopping. But don't you also have an online presence? Not anymore. I was on Etsy for three years. I decided to disband that I prefer selling face to face. Okay, that's where I do the best. Yeah, I think sometimes you can't capture the beauty of something in a picture of that. And it's hard to sell to the person I wanted me. I want people to come into my store like it's the neighborhood bar only it's the neighborhood store Codec. You know, I have women who come in, sit down in front of my front desk and tell me all about their problems for, like, half an hour. And then when they're done, venti again up in Shaw. And I love that you put up that sign. It says Lucy, five cents psychiatrist. I think it's wonderful. I mean, that's what I want them to do. It's hearts. When you go to some of those big box stores, you get absolutely no servicing. You know what I mean. You can throw a bowling ball down the aisle on that hidden, and he sells beef. I know when you try to find them, if they don't want to look in the eye, just what they tell you. If I think sex and I want my customers be totally satisfied, what they and if you buy something is a gift and that somebody doesn't like it, I guess I let you exchanged. I love them. Exchange. I understand. I will do that. Most people that sell the type of merchandise I do, which is usually use or repurposed or whatever do not do that. All sales are final. I don't believe in that. It's my store. I could do what I want. I want my custom to be half. That's the most important thing to me because if you have happy customer to have lots of this, absolutely. I had great. I saw some beautiful turquoise pieces in there the other day. You have quite a collection of turquoise. I do. I have a lot of customers who collect your course, right, and I love turquoise myself. So yes, I do. I have on a Native American your choices well, Navajo, Navajo. They were just beautiful, exquisite pieces. Thank you. And they're all one of a con. And they're all sterling silver, their own doll, all natural stones, old turquoise lattice And some have quarrel is well, and I I love that and stuff as well, but I just enjoy what I do. It's a lot of fun. I mean, I wonder it took a 1930 cigarette boss and made it into a handbag. I have a jeweler who makes all these things from Slink. Lisa, I love you. I don't have to just size the ringer center stone. I mean with you, we really get to do something different and outside the box. So when I look into peace, I look at what I could make into it. A woman's just melted or scrapped in your throat way right. Let's see what we could use it for. And that's a great idea. I mean, I know a while back we did a repurposed already. Yes, and after things calm down. We're gonna have an event for all our listers at her store will pick a date once we figure out what's going on here with things. But on it was a repurpose party and you always have that hearing that you lost the mate. Thio are a bracelet. It's just too old fashioned. And everybody brought some of their things in and some people recreated some people just bought new stuff, expected it was made. Some people just wore hats and drink wants e had fun and it was the worst rainstorm ever. I still showed up. I was so depressed that they did that. And now I recently moved at to the first floor. So it's much easier now for my clients to come in shop and feel it ease and And I have a friend door entrance and of actor. Okay, I didn't realize south of seeing him. So there's more parking in the back in the back, That is yeah, because it does seem a little tight when you pull up, it is. And so there is a bath park in line, and I do have doors that it did not marked and they can come through the back. Okay. And then so besides Polo, I know you sell a ton of hats. I'm sure everybody's getting their polo have. What are the other big events? Isn't there? Are high tea. I do. I tease. I do. Kentucky Derby. Oh, Kentucky Derby's coming up. Yes, it iss this virus going around on Eve's habit, But yes, I saw a lot of hats for Kentucky Derby and I sell hats. Just two women who want to go to the beach or Oracle. I bruise or just have an outfit or luncheon that requires that they wear a hat. Or like a roaring twenties party. I'm here for that. I have all the lines of things. I just I love what I do. It's fun. I have a picture of myself, and I should put it up in the store. I was two years old and I was sitting on the floor and I have curlers in my hair, a shirt on little patent leather shoes. And I got bracelets all the way up and down both arms, and I still do that. And I'm 61 I still doing well. She has about 30 bracelets, son. Right now. How easy? Yes, I know that this watch bracelet is beautiful. Thank you. Yes. And then she got a ring. This was probably repurposed. Itwas this was a 1930 salt shape. And it is a Chinese junk and the maid to it. The pepper shaker is attended, and it's in the store. Very nice. So and the earrings I have on were us our caviar forks there, strolling. So close weather and I made earrings. And then the other five I made a necklace with, and I've got to put on a list this morning, but, uh, yeah, I said, don't throw anything. If it's sterling silver, we can do something with that mean as it can be, Sauder. Okay, problem with anything that isn't sterling or gold. It's hard to get it started, right? I can have anything sought them precious map. So that isn't a crime. So if you have stuff like that, bring it by and let's see what we can create. Okay, Well, that sounds really wonderful. Andi, I'm looking forward to when we can have an event for Oh, beat you. Don't be a lot of fun, So please tell everybody where they confined you. Oh, sure. I met 700 old Dixie Highway, Suite 108 in Life Park, Florida. And as if there is 33403 and you can always reach out to me if you need some information on how to get ahold of Lisa. And thank you so much for coming in today with a lot of fine both. Thank you for having me. I love this stuff. Well, I look forward to on planning our events soon. Okay. Me too. Thank you.

spk_0:   18:25
Thank you for listening to this week's show. And we hope you visit again next week. Please share with your friends and we look forward to showing you around our amazing cities. Visit JIA realty dot com. That's G I a r e a L t y team dot com or you can call us at 5612034661