Biz Buzz: Economic downturn has been a boon to Baggio

While the economy has taken its toll on some area businesses, one local retailer is expanding because of the downturn.

Norma Santamaria, who owns Baggio on Gayton Road near Quioccasin Road in Henrico County, has moved her store to accommodate the increase in traffic and inventory she's seen since the economy began to sour last year.

Baggio is a consignment shop that deals in high-end women's clothing, bags, shoes and jewelry.

Santamaria said the growth, in part, was driven by people selling their wares after Henrico was hit with major layoffs.

But, she said, while people have cut back, they still want to dress well.

"It's important to them," she said.

Her offerings are significantly less expensive because they're used, she said.

The new store is three doors down from the previous location, but the space is significantly larger.

"I was there for almost eight years, but with everything going on in the economy we were getting more, and even better, merchandise," Santamaria said.

The new store is about 2,200 square feet, compared with 900 at the previous spot.

Santamaria said she will use the additional space to accommodate the increased merchandise, as well as bringing in additional pieces.

Beyond expanding her store size and merchandise, Baggio is also looking to increase its Web presence.

The site, http://www.baggioconsignment.com, is partly under construction.

Among the changes, Baggio will offer men's clothes online.

"We will have very special pieces for men, all the Italian names," including Giorgio Armani, Santamaria said.

She's still unsure whether she'll bring men's clothing to the store, though.

"It's so foreign, we'll see how it goes," she said. "It's so much more exciting to [dress] women."

hhgregg locations

Consumer electronics and appliance retailer hhgregg could open three stores in the Richmond area as early as November.

The Indianapolis-based chain, which announced earlier this month that it was bumping up its expansion plans, is expected to take over former Circuit City stores at Short Pump Town Center in western Henrico and near Chesterfield Towne Center in Chesterfield County. The third store could go in the Shops at White Oak Village on Labur num Avenue in eastern Henrico.

The company began in Indianapolis in 1955 when husband and wife H.H. and Fansy Gregg opened an appliance store on the city's north side. It has 122 stores in nine states.

The chain will also open multiple stores this year in Tampa, Fla., and Memphis, Tenn. -- markets where Circuit City formerly had a strong presence.

In all, Circuit City left behind six vacant stores in the Richmond area when it went out of business in March.

Bookstore closing

Inspirational Values is closing its Midlothian Turnpike store.

The Christian book and music store will keep its Hampton location, said owner Kevin Adams.

Earlier this year, Inspirational Values replaced Heaven & Earth Christian Specialty Store, of which Adams was also part owner.

At one point he co-owned 16 Heaven & Earth stores, including about four in Richmond. He took back the two remaining stores and changed their names earlier this year, but there wasn't enough business to keep going in this area.

"Gradually, with Amazon and the big box stores, the book and music business has been getting slower and slower," Adams said. "Then you throw in a tough economy, and that's it."

The store is behind the Salvation Army store on Midlothian Turnpike near Koger Center Drive.

Inspirational Values in the midst of a going-out-of-business sale.

Adams expects the store to close by Aug. 1. Remaining merchandise will be shipped to the Hampton store.

Saxon's set to open

Saxon Shoes is expecting to open its Fredericksburg store Friday. It will be Saxon's second store.

The new store is at The Village at Towne Centre, a 200,000-square-foot open-air shopping center being built next to the Spotsylvania Towne Centre off Interstate 95.

The company is giving away about 150 pairs of shoes today to underprivileged children at the new location.

Gary Weiner, president of the company, said last week that the occupancy permit had been issued and they were preparing for opening.

Saxon currently operates a store at the Short Pump Town Center in Henrico.

Contact Louis Llovio at (804) 649-6348 or .