- May 5, 2024
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A new consignment shop has opened in Ormond-by-the-Sea.
Wayne Grant
Staff Writer
Gerard Choquette guarantees that he’ll never plow snow again. He and his wife, Diane, are back in Ormond-by-the-Sea after eight years in Massachusetts, and they say it’s for good.
“We’re just so happy to be home,” Diane Choquette said, looking out at the ocean from her new consignment shop, Upscale Resale, 1462 Ocean Shore Blvd.
The couple moved to Ormond-by-the-Sea 20 years ago, but when the recession hit, Gerard’s construction work came to a standstill. He got a job up north as an estate caretaker, and that’s where they worked, planning and saving for their eventual return to the barrier island they call home.
Their hard work paid off, and they were able to open their new business on Jan. 1.Diane Choquette said their slogan is “great finds at great prices,” and she’s choosy about what she sells. The clothing, for example, tends to be from high-end department stores. They also have furniture, handbags, jewelry, etc., buying items at estate and moving sales.
To get started in the new business, she brought merchandise from Massachusetts.
“That’s why have a lot of one-of-a-kind items,” she said.
Her husband also works in the business, fixing furniture, making deliveries and collecting items for resale. He also has a business called Ormond-by-the-Sea Handyman Service.
They will sell items on consignment, but actually prefer to buy it and then sell it themselves.
“We want everyone to be happy,” she said. “They are happy because they sold their item. We’re happy because it’s ours and we can paint it or do what we want with it.”
Prior to moving to Massachusetts, Diane Choquette was a stay-at-home mom, supplementing their income buying and selling on eBay. Now that the children are grown, she decided it’s time to open a store.
There’s no more snow plowing, and they are able to bike or walk to their shop. She said they are able to stay open later because they live so close.
She calls the beachside community, “Florida’s secret,” and it’s where they want to be.
“We love it here. We don’t even go on vacation,” she said. “We are so attached to this place. We will never leave Ormond-by-the-Sea again.”
Gerard Choquette said he has lived all over Florida and this is where he wants to live.
“I love the community,” he said. “It’s small and everybody’s friendly.”
Call 262-9922 or find them on Facebook at UpscaleResaleOrmond.
