Consignment furnishings that cater to
both buyers & sellers in Reno
That's not just the title of this article it's the name of one of my favorite haunts in Reno.
“What's Mine is Yours” is a unique household furnishings consignment shop located in the Village Square shopping center on California Avenue. It was opened four years ago by Sharon Kelly French when she moved here from the Bay Area (where consignment shops are hugely popular), and she not only put her heart and soul into it, she was the sunbeam that made it special.
I happened to drive by shortly after it opened, stopped in to see what it was and met one of the most delightful women I've ever known. Sharon's warm and ready smile of welcome and her genuine interest in people endeared her to everyone who came in, and it became my habit to stop by to say hello whenever I was in the neighborhood--a lot of people did that. Sharon remembered everyone's name and made you feel as if she'd been just waiting for you to come in to chat. We quickly established an easy friendship and I often left the shop with some treasure to take home. My favorite find-two fabulous metal floor lamps similar to--but better than--the ones I'd been eyeing at the San Francisco Design Center at a fraction of that price.
I sometimes took a no longer needed treasure of my own in for consignment, which is what I was doing one day last December. Startled to find a stranger greeting me, I immediately asked for Sharon. The young woman had to tell me, as she had to tell so many others, that Sharon had died just before Thanksgiving, having been diagnosed far too late with the cancer that took her life in a matter of weeks. I'd lost a friend, as had many other people; her family had lost a wife and mother, the community had lost a smart and plucky business-woman and the visitors to the shop had lost their sunbeam.
At her funeral I learned more about Sharon. Before she moved to Reno she was the Promotions Director for the Oakland Athletics, a position she was very proud of. The Vice President of Operations for the team spoke at her service, telling us about her enthusiasm, her gutsy determination, her wonderful spirit and her sense of fun. Other people talked about how graciously and easily she entertained, her love of cooking, describing the frequent impromptu parties at her home. It made me wish I had taken our friendship to another level.
But Reno did not lose her shop. What's Mine is Yours remains open, now run jointly by her husband, Tim French and her son, Spencer D'oro. Tim and Spencer are trying to keep things just as Sharon wanted them to be.
The concept of a Consignment shop is not as prevalent in Reno as it seems to be in other parts of the country 
but Sharon always hoped the idea would really catch on here. It is not a thrift shop but a retail outlet that offers the consignor (seller) a well displayed showroom and maximum exposure for selling quality pre-owned home furnishing and accessories. It is an alternative way to bring buyers and sellers together. You'll find all types of furniture and accessories for the home, including lamps and rugs. Items must be in good condition in order to be accepted and the inventory changes frequently.
The shop's Web site, www.whatsmineisyoursreno.com shows the well appointed display room and provides information about consignment policies and hours of operation. It is located in the Village Square Shopping Center, suite #1185-A, on California Avenue, where you'll also find the summer Saturday morning Farmers' Market. Stop in to see Sharon's dream and say hi to Tim and Spencer.
Hours Open:
Tuesday through Friday - 10-6 p.m.
Saturday - 10-5 p.m.
Sunday - 12-4