Business Spotlight: Back By Popular Demand

Originally owned by Dot York and her sister Reba Brown, opened in 1980. Melissa Baxter took over ownership of the consignment shop in 2002 and has since expanded the store, located at 4915 Lawrenceville Hwy., to over 8,000 sq. feet of gently used apparel and accesories.

Patch: How did you become involved in the consignment business?

Melissa: I started working in consignment when I was 15. In 2002 I bought the store from Dot. I was 20 years old at the time so I have been in the business for almost 15 years. It definitely keeps me entertained. On an average day we go through about 3,000 pieces and we accept around 500. We're pretty selective when it comes to what we want to sell.

Patch: What is the best aspect of owning Back By Popular Demand?

Melissa: It's getting to know the community more than anything. I have an environment where things change every day. You literally have no idea what's going to happen that day. I could rearrange my entire store and then have 1,000 tops dropped off in two days and have to rearrange again. I have to constantly think on my feet and there is no set parameters to what we do here.

Patch: What is the most challenging aspect to owning a consignment shop?

Melissa: Styles change constantly so I have to keep up with what my customers like. It even changes from store to store. I have to stock completely different items for my Lilburn store than my store in Marietta or even next door in the juniors shop.

Patch: What makes Back By Popular Demand unique?

Melissa: The variety and the amount of items we have to choose from. We carry all sizes as well. When you come into the store there's not just a small rounder, there's five of them. You have a great selection here so it's worth the drive to come to Lilburn. We went online about two years ago so we keep about 1,000 pieces online that we rotate constantly. The idea is for us to be a one stop shop but the biggest thing we pride ourselves on is price. You're going to find something here. We are not a high end store, but if you like Gucci, we've got it. If you like Gap, we've got that too. If your price point is $5 or $500 we can accomodate you.

Patch: What makes the Lilburn community unique?

Melissa: I like that I've become a part of the Lilburn community. I've been here long enough now that I've seen kids go from middle school to high school or have them coming in for communion, and then homecoming and then prom and now they're getting married. It's just really cool.

Back By Popular Demand is open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. until 7 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m.