Megan Navarro
WIMBERLEY— Hill Country Consignment, LLC — a place that has been more than a shop to the Wimberley community — is closing a chapter after its lease is ending later this year.
The shop opened in 2009, launching with just a notepad, card table and simple vision, to give the community a more cost-effective way to buy and sell their items and accessories. Never having owned her own business before, Amy Guynes is an occupational therapist by trade who wanted to bring her thrifting ideas to life.
Starting out with only having items for children, the shop moved to its current location, at 711 Farm to Market Road 2325, and has grown into offering something for the entire family. According to Guynes, there are approximately 1,000 consignors; some choose to save the money they collect from the sales, while others opt to never cash out, but continue to spend it locally.
It’s also been more than a place for people to come in to shop.
Guynes and her team have stepped up to support families through the devastation of floods, fires and other weather events over the years that have forced them to lose their entire home, where they are having to start from the ground up.
“We are blessed, so we say, ‘Blessed to be a blessing,’” she said, adding that they have donated several items to those in need, including the local thrift store, women’s center, Wimberley ISD students and more.
The owner said that she has also assisted foster parents who have welcomed children in their homes and they just need a little extra help.
“Several foster parents over the years have called me privately and said, ‘Hey, we have a newborn and we have nothing for them.’ I would tell them, ‘Hey, you want to meet me at the store? You can get what you need or want or whatever from clothing to toys, baby equipment, stroller, bouncers [or] bottles.’ Whatever we have that they may need. We've done that and it's midnight, sometimes, and I'm like, ‘I'll meet you there,’” she explained.
She has also remained true to offering a fair and honest place for neighbors to shop and sell their items to where if there is someone who can not pay, she allows them to bring whatever they owe the next time.
Hill Country Consignment has been a meaningful place for many people in the community, including those like Dianne Pollard.
According to Pollard, it’s been an integral part of Wimberley for 16 years and it’s one of the reasons it is the community that it is.
“They have offered low cost clothing, shoes, toys, sporting goods and household essentials for the families of Wimberley, including those who live on a fixed income. They have been there for every hardship and emergency, generously providing for those in need,” she said. “It is a delight to shop there; the ladies are always friendly and welcoming … losing it will hurt.”
Another resident, Cheryl Eskridge, shared that she has shopped there when her grandchildren would come to visit, making her way back to sell the items later. Her loyalty stayed with Hill Country Consignment as she opted to always shop there before venturing elsewhere to purchase something new, as well as recommending it to locals and newcomers.
Others took to social media to share the same consensus that the shop’s closure feels like a “loss” in the community, following Guyne’s announcement last week that Hill Country Consignment’s lease for its current building is ending and its last day will be Aug. 22.
She has been looking for a year and half to see if the business could continue in another location in Wimberley, but has not been able to find anything.
Despite this, Guynes recognizes the community who became family and friends, supporting the business, over the last 16 years. This includes her dedicated, longtime staff: Donna Wyatt of 15 years, Wanda Martin of 14 years, Renee Buse of nine years and Brandy Woods of six years.
“Thank you. It’s such a small word for what means so much,” concluded Guynes, holding back tears.
