Weaver turns 'Addiction' to bargains, great clothes into store

PONDERAY — Celah Weaver has a passion for fashion.

She doesn't, however, want to spend a fortune for designer clothes or great outfits.

"I have always had a love of fashion and more particularly, the hunt to find those designer labels at bargain basement prices," Weaver said. "In fact, the hunt, in most cases, was the most thrilling to me. I found that no matter what kind of store I shopped in, whether it be a thrift store, consignment store or Nordstrom, I could find that one bargain, if it existed."

For a while, Weaver sold the bargains online.

"I found that offering these items on eBay would allowed me to not only profit from those finds but allow me to shop more and buy more," she said. "My husband, Bob, called it my addiction."

That gave Weaver an idea — share her bargains with others by opening her own store, dedicated to great clothes at a thrift store price.

In October, Weaver opened Addiction. The "resale designer label clothing store" at the Bonner Mall features 2,600 square feet and thousands of clothes — including 1,000 pairs of jeans. From Lucky Jeans, American Eagle and Abercrombie & Fitch to Aeropostle, Roxy, Hurley and Hollister.

In addition to clothing, Addiction offers a selection of designer label shoes and accessories including Kate Spade, Louis Vuitton, Coach and Dooney and Bourke to name a few.

"All items are new or like new and offer sophisticated shoppers significant savings," Weaver said.

For years, her own store was something Weaver often thought about but figured the area's proximity to Spokane and Coeur d'Alene malls as well as discount chains, it wasn't practical to open shop.

"I figured I was just kidding myself," Weaver said. "But then gas hit almost $3 per gallon and my husband and I decided it was time. We found ourselves thinking twice about jumping into the car and spending a day shopping in Spokane and we figured others would to."

Weaver got to work researching the idea and figured out what she wanted to sell — and what price she could afford to sell it at to keep the store open. The next step was finding a location. She chose the Bonner Mall because of its central location, the ability to have a larger store, climate controlled environment and unlimited parking.

The store, at a roomy 2,600 square feet, is located between JC Penney and Sears. Addiction is stocked by plenty of jeans, new clothes (store closeouts) and "like new" designer label clothing every day from a number of sources, including my own customers.

With a range of labels, sizes (from 00 to 26) and clothes, it's no wonder that Addiction is attracting everyone from teens to senior citizens. The store is open Mondays through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.