Current business seems to be all about the pivot, the quick redirect of operations models necessitated by change. Over its 43 years in Jenkintown, the owners of Breslin’s Consignment Corner — an upscale consignment shop — have become very adept at the tactic, as Morgan Dougherty of PHL17 discovered.

Breslin’s opened in 1979 by sisters-in-law Gerrie and Mary Evelyn Breslin. Its merchandise was originally common thrift-store fare: second-hand suits for men, outgrown children’s clothing, gently used household items.

Mary Evelyn eventually decided to leave the business to pursue a nursing career. Therein brought pivot one, as Gerrie continued managing the shop on her own.

As the years passed, however, Gerrie started to slow, and in 2008, her daughter Katie took over Breslin’s operation. Pivot two.

Eight years later, Gerrie succumbed to cancer and passed away.

Katie kept the entity alive, moving locations, and branching out to online marketing. But she felt a change might give the shop some new vitality.

Pivot three was a switch in business focus to consigning luxury brands, making Rodeo Drive items available to the budgets of a West Avenue clientele.  

The relaunch has been very successful; customers eagerly browse the Kate Spade, Louis Vuitton, and Prada inventory and leave with something that hasn’t decimated their wallets.

And Katie happily serves their needs with the same warmth she inherited from her mom.

More on Breslin’s Consignment Corner is at PHL 17.