Shop for Designer Clothes, and Help a Worthy Cause, in Downtown Rochester

I've been known to. And while the prices are divine, finding age-appropriate attire can be a bit of a challenge.

So imagine the joy at my discovery of , a resale shop that not only has high-end clothing—and home decor—at great prices, but best of all, supports an amazing organization, the Assistance League.

On Wednesday I told you all about the downtown shop's mission in .

Today, we go shopping.

Designer clothes? Don't mind if I do!

"The vast majority of our merchandise is donated," head of store public relations Kay Scheidt said. "But we are fortunate to be on the radar of some people with excellent taste!"

I'd say!

As I was walking in, a man was purchasing a fur coat. Somebody is going to have a nice Christmas!

Some items, mostly the designer brand apparel, are on consignment with a 50-50 split.

"But no matter if the clothes were donated or on consignment, 100 percent of the store profits are used for ," Scheidt said. "This store is our main fundraiser."

The volunteers that work the store are highly selective in what gets put on the floor. Clothes that make the cut are washed and pressed then attractively displayed.

"A lot of our volunteers shop here too so they have a very discerning eye!" Scheidt said.

And as I was eyeing some Talbot's summer capri pants on the rack for $8, Scheidt reminded me, "You don't have to worry about them shrinking; they've already been washed for you!"

The store has a large dressing room and a no-returns policy. And if you need a second opinion, the staff is ready to offer their (very kind) 2 cents.

Clothes that are not used by the store are donated to .

"They come and pick up twice a week," Scheidt said. "Our only rule was that donations had to be passed on to an organization that would give them out, not sell them."

Purple tags, blue dots.... shop!

"When I first started here, I thought the prices were too low, but then I realized we are all about volume," Scheidt said. "We price things to sell. The more we sell, the more we can bring in and then we sell that."

To that end, the inventory is constantly turning over and being reset.

"Monday is home decor, Tuesday women's clothing, Wednesday women's consignment, Thursday home decor consignment and Friday we sort and organize," Scheidt said. "We have a very specific following on Tuesdays and Fridays. Our regulars know our schedule."

Emails are sent out to shoppers to let them know what's new each week.

"There are little gems, treasures throughout the store," Scheidt said, pointing out "The Awakening," a photograph by artist William Plante. "You'll never know what you might find."

To make the treasure hunt easier for shoppers, designer clothes are called out with a special purple tag. 

Also, keep an eye out for the Blue Dot Sale. Tags marked with a blue dot are 50 percent off to keep that merchandise moving.

The ReSale Connection is located at 204 S. Main Street and is run entirely by Assistance League volunteers. The store is open Tuesday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Call 248-656-0414 with questions.