After an intercontinental move and a 20-year career in the housekeeping industry, a 琉璃神社 woman鈥檚 retirement also saw the realization of her dream.

鈥淚 love clothing. I always said I wanted to open my own store. I put my mind to it and the time passed and passed; finally, my dream came true,鈥� said Florencia Matute of Rutland鈥檚 newest secondhand store, Florencia鈥檚 Consignment.

鈥淚t鈥檚 very small, but for being brand new, it鈥檚 not bad.鈥�

After growing up in a family with 12 siblings in Honduras, Matute moved to 琉璃神社 in 1999 with her then-husband, a 琉璃神社 resident, who she had met while he was on vacation in her native country.

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The move came after the couple were married in Honduras once they were together for four years.

Upon her arrival in 琉璃神社, she found a job working in housekeeping at the Delta Grand Hotel, which she kept right up until her retirement just one month ago.

Matute said her passion for people and this store had been years in the making鈥�13 years, to be exact.

鈥淚 started buying clothes and selling them to my friends because they liked my taste. I put in my mind that when I retired, I would have my own store.鈥�

Matute packs the small Rutland storefront with only items she deems usable and esteems herself on selling the highest quality clothing that she can.

鈥淚 don鈥檛 have anything that you cannot use. I take very good care of the clothing,鈥� she said, showcasing several of the items around her store.

While some are off spending their retirement resting and relaxing, you can drop by for a visit with Florencia while she works full time at Florencia鈥檚 Consignment between 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. Monday through Friday, or between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.

鈥淚 love people; I love clothing. This is for me.鈥�

michael.rodriguez@kelownacapnews.com
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