It’s no question that bigger women (and men!) sometimes have trouble finding clothes; they’re too small, they’re made weird, stores don’t cater to their size–you name it. Luckily for Pennsylvania natives (any beyond), there is a place just for those people. The Harvest Consignment is a plus-size store in York, Pennsylvania, that caters to the plus-sized community and provides them with cute, affordable clothing. I got in touch with the store’s owner, Kim Raffensberger-Howard to get to know a bit more about the business.
- Tell us a bit about yourself!
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My name is Kim Raffensberger-Howard, I’m 47 and from York, Pa. I’m married—we have 2 kids and a dog. I’m a lover of Jesus and all things shiny and sparkly! I pretty much spend my time working, eating and sleeping, especially in this cold! When warm whether comes around I love to swim all I can! I’ve spent my years, from age 17-44 being a hairstylist, specializing in hair color, to earn a living, before opening the store.
- Tell us a bit about The Harvest Consignment!
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Our business, The Harvest Consignment, is an ALL Plus Size Shop specializing in sizes 1X through 6X for men and women. We do carry other accessories and footwear but clothing is what we specialize in!
- How did you come up with the idea to open a shop like this one?
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We are the only ALL Plus Size consignment Shop in the state of Pennsylvania and possibly further out! At the time I came up with the concept, I was tired of never being able to find affordable, awesome clothing for a voluptuous woman of my size. At that time I was a 4X/5X, so I was getting tired of doing hair and desperately needed a change, I knew I loved clothing and wanted to do something with it, but I wasn’t sure what. I thought maybe hook up with a designer and retail my own “big girl” clothing line; I thought maybe do a “Big girl” lingerie line called “Big Girls Need Love 2.” I remember the exact day driving downtown and I was talking to The Lord out loud, as I often do, I said, “Lord, please show me what I’m supposed to do next, because I know this season is about to be over…” I look over, sitting at the light and see a consignment shop. Instantly The Lord answered. Open an ALL Plus Size Consignment shop, The people will be Blessed in it by making money and you’ll be provided for… Do it in My Name, Honor Me, and I’ll provide all you need, and you will succeed. From that day in 2016, I drew up the business plan and 90 days later, September 1st, I opened up in my uncle’s 2 car garage at the salon I worked at, Arnie B.’s Hair Studio, in West Manchester Township. The Harvest Consignment was born!
- What makes The Harvest Consignment so unique?
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What makes us so unique is the fact that we are the ONLY ALL Plus Size Consignment Shop in the state of Pennsylvania and beyond! We cater to the more curvaceous woman, unlike the rest of the world—we make our ladies in here feel special, and you’ll ALWAYS leave feeling good and not disappointed because you can’t fit anything! We keep our store covered in prayer and The Holy Spirit is always present to create an atmosphere of goodness!
- Where can readers find your business?
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You can currently find us at 1615 W. Market Street in West York, PA 17404 BUT our building has just been sold and the new owners want it for their building, so we will be vacating the property as of March 31st, 2021. We will be moving to a store that’s double the square footage. We hope to open Saturday, April 3rd 2021. Our new location is 729 East Market Street York, Pa 17403 in the former Grove’s Sporting Goods Store. They were in business there for 55 years, so the building has longevity. I have a feeling it will be just as good for us!
If you are interested in checking out The Harvest Consginment, you can visit them at the address above and visit them at their Facebook page here. I can personally vouch for the store in saying that the business is run incredibly and I have gotten some beautiful pieces from them. Thanks for reading!
HCXO, Alexandra <3