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Photo: Jackie Rybeck

BOUTIQUE – Jennifer Zabella recently opened a new boutique in South Paris at Market Square. The boutique, called La Donna Zabella, is an upscale consignment shop full of high-end name brands and affordable prices.

SOUTH PARIS – There is a new, “must see” boutique at Market Square and it is called La Donna Zabella.

Owner, Jennifer Zabella has taken great pride in creating a chic impression with a welcoming atmosphere, and walking through the door gives the ambiance of fashion that will please every one of the senses.

According to Zabella, the boutique is wall-to-wall, high-end name brand items.

“There is Ralph Lauren, Coach bags, Nine West, Louis Vuitton, Chico’s, Vera Bradley and more,” she explained. “Besides clothes and handbags, I carry all the accessories that go with any gal’s wardrobe including jewelry, shoes and belts.”

“There are even bathing suits, lingerie, wedding gowns and professional attire,” she added.

After shopping for a few minutes, you may very well look at the prices and wonder how the items can be so reasonable.

“Everything here is consignment!” smiled Zabella. “Many items still have the tags on them.”

Zabella feels that women in the community need an option.

“They buy an item, wear it once and then tuck it in the closet. It’s a win-win situation for everyone ... the gals buying the clothing and the gals selling the clothing.”

The owner is very stringent about the items she allows in, making La Donna Zabella a high-end consignment shop.

“It’s a great way to bring beautiful things to the gals who can’t quite afford these items in the retail world or just have the pleasure of swapping out their clothes more often,” said Zabella. “The boutique allows women to have nice things, yet on a skinny budget.”

“For example, a woman can come in and be outfitted for an interview for under $20,” she added. “Or come in and buy an outfit and accessories for a wedding and spend under $40.”

The consignment shop has vintage clothing as well, and the jewelry ranges from real stones to sterling silver to costume jewelry.

At La Donna Zabella size is no problem.

“There are size 0 items all the way to size 36,” she said. “And I even have men’s clothing, including suits, blazers, ties, hats, belts and shorts.”

What is Zabella’s favorite part of her day?

“Helping someone put together a complete outfit,” she smiled. “It’s so much fun when someone comes in and says ‘help me!’ The looks on their faces are precious when they see their bill and they leave looking like a million bucks.”

And she is very good at what she does. The boutique is fashionably decorated with mix-and-matched items from her 250 consigners.

“I had a lady come in, loving a blouse that was put together with a jacket, pants and some jewelry!” she laughed. “She commented on how pretty the blouse was and I had to tell her it was one of the items that she had brought in to sell ... I thought for a minute that she was going to take it back ... and that has happened."

Need an idea for a private party?

“I will open the store for special occasions, such as showers or girl’s day out. They may go to lunch or get their nails done and then come here for a few hours of private shopping and they have a ball. It is especially fun when they come in shopping for such items as hats to celebrate their Royal Wedding or Kentucky Derby parties.”

Zabella feels she is helping even Mother Earth in a small way.

“It’s like we are recycling clothes. It’s a green store and everything here is recycled ... even the racks are from a wedding shop that closed.”

And with a consignment boutique, you never know when something new will arrive.

“I have regulars that come in every week,” giggled Zabella. “They will even text me: did anything come in today that I might like?”

According to the owner, La Donna Zabella is an upscale hunt for fashion.

“Gals come in and find the prettiest little outfit and leave here two-inches taller,” she said. “Once a woman is in an outfit like that, they are unstoppable.”

“At Zabella, it’s one-stop shopping for designer deals…from head to heels!”

La Donna Zabella is located at 11 Market Square and hours are Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.; phone 739-2311.