What started as a way to help the Christmas for Kids program has turned into a full time venture for Elizabeth Branham.

Now the consignment shop in Becker Village Mall is called the exChange Co. but will still help the program along with other charities, Branham said Wednesday.

“It’s a fun treasure hunt,” she said of the shop. “You get nice items at affordable prices.”

Branham received numerous requests to keep the shop open. “I did research. With every other industry was down, resell was up 35 percent.”

With the economy, people are looking for alternative ways to get designer clothes. The consignment shop is a way to do that, especially with prom season coming soon. The shop has a Ralph Lauren evening dress for $25.

The shop has a seamstress to make alternations, who happens to be Branham’s sister. “When I was child she used to sew for me all the time. Rhonda always made all my clothes. She made me have a love for clothes.”

That led to a passion for the consignment shop, Branham recalls. “You won’t find any one thing alike.”

There are Coach and Dooney and Bourke bags at the shop and jewelry “coming in by droves.”

What makes consignment shopping unique is someone who dresses a certain way can find things to change their style. “You can always find fashion at affordable prices,” Branham said.

The store has already sold two wedding gowns. “When you see people add something to their style it adds a little glow. You can tell they have a little more self esteem.”

While consignment shops grow in popularity, Branham hasn’t forgotten why the exChange Co. was created and plans to hold the Christmas for Kids event yearly and extend the idea so more charities can benefit. There is currently a dollar sale at the shop which will benefit Christmas for Kids but other charities can collect items to sell to help benefit their causes.

There are also plans to sell furniture, including indoor items and items such as patio furniture.

The customer base at the shop is loyal, Branham said. “We have clients come two to three times a week every week to see what’s new.”

She believes these customers will stay with the shop even after the economy improves.

While her sister helps with alterations, Branham also gets help from her daughters. “It’s been a family project. The girls give me marketing ideas.”