Layway Is Alive And Well
By Regina

It was 1985 and I really, really wanted those pearly pink stirrup pants and the matching jacket at Maurice’s, one of the few hip clothing stores in the rural area I grew up in. The outfit cost $80 and I only had $30 of meager babysitting money. But I knew that ensemble would be mine and two months later I was dancing to Mike and the Mechanics at the seventh grade dance in my new duds. No, I did not pull a Wynona Ryder, nor did my parents pitch in. (My family's motto was, if you had a job, you bought your own clothes). Back then, there was an option called layaway and believe it or not, it still exists.

For those of you unfamiliar with the wonders of layaway, it's a not-so-fancy word for payment plan and although they may not advertise it, many independent designers and boutiques offer it. Okay, so you may not get the satisfaction of wearing those cool kicks the next day, but within a few weeks, you’ll be strutting down the street with debt-free, interest-free peace of mind. And hey, delaying gratification just makes you appreciate that one-of-a-kind item even more.

Amanda Rosenthal, the owner of La Rousse, a downtown Seattle boutique, welcomes layaway because it's of little risk to her. She requires a 40 percent down payment of cash or credit and that the item be paid off within three months. If the customer defaults on the payment plan, the garment goes back on the floor and La Rousse keeps the down payment.

Birna Sigurbjornsdottir, a Seattle jewelry designer says she is also open to payment plans. "I have offered layaway to two customers in the past," she says. "One woman wanted to buy a special neckpiece for her best friend's 30th birthday, and asked if she could pay in two bi-weekly installments. Another fell in love with one of my rings. She said she would send me checks when she could until the piece was paid for. It took a couple of months, but I knew how much she loved the ring and trusted her to come through."

Local designers and small boutiques appreciate your business and want to work with your budget.  So before you plunk down that credit card and go in the red, ask about layaway options. You may be surprised at what you hear.

Boutiques:

Galactic Boutique
Layaway offerend on fine art and paintings and a deposit is required.

La Rousse
Layaway offered with 40% down cash or credit Item must be paid in full within three months.

La Tienda Folk Art Gallery
Layaway offered with one-third down and 30 days to pick up. For large purchase a longer layaway option of 60 or 90 days is available. Items must be picked up in a timely manner or customer forfeits downpayment.

Fancy + Pants
Layaway offered with flexible payment plans. On custom design work, a 50% deposit is required and the remainder due at pick up.

Square Room
Layway offered on large ticket items.

Singer Galleries
Layaway offered with a 25% deposit and three payments of 25% over a three-month period. Will extend layaway over a longer period of time and work with a customer's budget.

Shano Studio
Layaway offered with down payment of 25% to 50%, depending customer's financial needs. Payments are due on the agreed-upon date of each month.

R.E. Load Baggage
Layaway offered with a deposit of half required at the time of order, and the other half due at pick up.

Designers:

Wai-Ching Clothing
Offers layaway and also gift certificates tailored to people's needs. For custom work, a deposit of half is required and the remainder due at pickup.

Sam Trout Designs
Offers payment plan options for commissions or paintings.

Grace Gow jewelry
Layaway offered with various payment plan options. No extra charge for custom work.

Anna Perrone Designs
Offers layaway for larger ticket items like her the beaded purses. lovemert.com Open to layaway.

Moxie & Oliver
Layaway offered on items over $100.

Julia Kellogg Jewelry
Layaway offered with a monthly payment required until the item is purchased. Accepts payments via cash, credit or checks.

Alice Dobson of Sofada
Offers layaway and hold garments/items for extended periods For custom orders a deposit of 50% is required and the remainder due at pick up.

Birna Sigurbjornsdottir
Layaway offered with flexible payment plans.

If budget shopping isn't your bag, then check out our "It" Item section!