The Vault Luxury Resale in Clayton is full of treasures for shoppers who come from miles around – even states away – to check out the ever-revolving inventory.
With labels like Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Manolo Blahnik, Kate Spade and Marc Jacobs, the store offers designer brands in perfect condition. And in addition to providing high-end items at affordable prices, The Vault often combines the shopping experience with events that help raise funds for various organizations.
The boutique has raised over $300,000 for St. Louis-based organizations like Make-A-Wish Missouri & Kansas, the Thompson Foundation for Autism and the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, among others, through philanthropic events, including the recent Runway of Hope Spring Shopping & Fashion Show, and Shop for a Cause with the St. Louis Cardinals Wives.
In case you are not familiar with the Vault, founder and CEO Sue McCarthy starred in the Style Network’s reality series, “Resale Royalty,” a few years back, a show that followed McCarthy and the workings of the store. She also travels the country and the world with her daughters, Laura Maurice and Diana Ford, to canvas elite closets and bring the best inventory to customers.
Last year, she released the book, “Good, Better, Best,” that takes readers through her trials and tribulations while growing up, sometimes homeless for a few days at a time in-between her father’s jobs, which were often scarce in the 1950s. Her journey to The Vault Luxury Resale is chronicled, and she includes inside looks at lavish closets of socialites and celebrities.
And while the “stuff” in the closets is important, the story behind the closets and the people who own them is often just as interesting. She also sees her book as an inspiration for people to see that their dreams are possible.
“If you always do the right thing, it comes back to you,” said McCarthy, who admits she feels like she has always lived in God’s perfect favor. “And I try to bend over backward to make people happy.”
Because of her own experiences, giving back is very personal for McCarthy. Her passion for charity comes from the times when she and her family were on the receiving end of others’ kindnesses.
“I lived in poverty for much of my childhood and have ultimately thrived, in large part, due to the support that St. Louis has given me,” McCarthy said. “We invest back into the community we love, and causes we care deeply about.”
In April, the Runway of Hope Spring Shopping & Fashion Show at The Vault benefited the Thompson Foundation for Autism, which supports families affected by autism spectrum disorders.
Also in April, The Vault hosted a Shop for a Cause event with the Cardinals Wives to benefit Make-A-Wish Missouri & Kansas, helping to support local and regional children battling critical illnesses.
Senior director of community & corporate philanthropy at Make-A-Wish Missouri & Kansas Lisa Kral-Lauterbach said wish granting takes place at the grassroots level.
“We’re so grateful to the Cardinals Wives for their ongoing support, and to the Vault for such a unique, fun event,” she said. “Their partnership brings us one step closer to being able to grant the wishes – and improve the lives – of every eligible child in our region.”
Similar “sip, shop, support” events happen often at The Vault Luxury Resale, like the one in March that supported the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, where shoppers entered to win a Gucci bag to benefit the cause.
In addition to specific fundraisers, The Vault is utilized after hours as an event space for meetings, bachelorette parties and various occasions, where refreshments are served, and shopping is part of the fun! A portion of event sales (that add up fast) is donated by the Vault to a range of charities.
For more information on partnering with The Vault for fundraising and other events, send an email to diana@thevaultluxuryresale.com. The Vault Luxury Resale is located at 2325 South Brentwood Blvd. in St. Louis.
