- April 25, 2024
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Kay's Designer Consignment is the subject of a documentary being filmed by Facebook's online advertising arm.
BY EMILY BLACKWOOD | STAFF WRITER
Not a lot of people are fortunate enough to be given second chances, and Kathryn Martinovic, owner of Kay’s Designer Consignment, at 1022 N. U.S. 1, doesn’t take any of hers for granted.
The self-proclaimed workaholic says she used to dedicate the majority of her time to her previous career and not enough time on herself. It eventually caught up with her when, in 1999, she had a spinal fluid leak that kept her on her back for 18 months. She recovered, found a new career and hasn’t regretted a day since.
Today, Martinovic owns of a consignment store that feels more like an upscale boutique. And the company's success has caught the eye of Facebook's online advertising department, which started filming a documentary about the Martinovics to spotlight their store's success.
Barbra Isherwood, 87, says that she shops at Kay’s to find something edgy.
“It’s a nice place to shop, everyone is very friendly and we always have a good time here,” Isherwood said. “I come in once a week just to see what’s happening, but I have to resist the furs.”
Isherwood, who was dressed head-to-toe in items bought at Kay’s, says that the store used to be more of a thrifty resale shop. But over time, it's changed to become more upscale and designer-based.
“They went more boutique, and I think that’s what has made it a big success,” Isherwood said. “It’s the best in the area as far as a consignment shop.”
But second-hand clothes aren’t the only things getting second chances. Kay and her husband, Michael, first met and fell in love in 1980. When Michael got sent into the service, they lost touch and, years later, they found each other again, this time on Facebook.
“I typed in his name on Facebook and thought, ‘What have I got to lose?’” Martinovic said. “Seven weeks later, we were together, and life has been better since.”
Kay and her husband have been married for four years now. He, along with their Chiweenie rescue Dobby, help Kay run the store.
“If it wasn’t for (second chances), there would be no hope,” Michael Martinovic said. “It’s a good thing that we both have baggage. Things pop up from your past and the younger people don’t express themselves. They leave it alone. Old age says, 'Hey, there ain’t that much time left.'”
And though Facebook has not officially declared the theme to be second chances, Kay thinks it would be fitting.
“We don’t take anything for granted.”
