Business Profile: Curious Comebacks, Carmel
Over the past four years, Anne Peppis has run Curious Comebacks not as a means to make loads of money, but as a spot in town to meet people and make good friends.
As someone who was already retired from her first career in the fashion business, Peppis, a Kent resident, still wanted something to keep her busy during her golden years. She said opening the store just “seemed like the natural thing to do.”
“I’m not a very good businessperson to tell you the truth, I’m not very good with money, not good at making money” she said. “But I do have a good time and I think most of the people that come in here do have a good time.”
Curious Comebacks sells affordable and lightly used items that can either be used for everyday needs or vintage goods that relive the old days. Either way, the little antique shop along Route 52 always boasts a wide array of items to choose from. Peppis said much of the material on sale comes from cosigners who will allow the store to sell their unwanted item and split the price with them. While everything had a listed price, Peppis said negotiations occasionally take place.
After retirement, Peppis first tried owning a restaurant, but quickly realized after a couple of years the work was too stressful and simply not worth the trouble. Recalling going through 13 dishwashers in such a short time frame, Peppis said the work “practically killed her.”
When she first wanted to open Curious Comebacks, Peppis pursued the feat with a business partner, but after the two made all the preparations to open the store, the other person in the business pulled out. She found another potential partner who stuck with her for three years, but after moving away from the area, the commute to and from the store was too much of a travel.
Peppis is in a location that used to be a donation store, a store she even used to frequent before it closed. When she reached a lease agreement with the owner of the property, Peppis said she had to bring two dump trucks to throw all the leftover stuff out.
Peppis can rattle off a list of regular cosigners and customers easily; all people she’s gotten to know over the four years. Peppis said cosigners usually come in because they have “good stuff that they just don’t’ want to throw away” and could use the extra cash made for simple needs like gas or food.
The most money Peppis ever made off a deal was for a vintage poster that was 8-feet wide for $800. The next most expensive thing was a trunk that was sold for more that $300.
As long as she has enough money to pay the bills at the end of each month, Peppis is content because she’s enjoying every day at her cozy shop.
“It’s a good place to come,” Peppis said. “It’s fun and the people are nice.”
