Alicia Wood caught the bargain bug early on in life.
As a young girl, the enterpeneur and her mother - Randolyn Miller of Danville, Ill. - would shop at thrift stores and flea markets searching for deals. The rush stuck throughout her life and has now carried into a business venture.
"It's just exciting," Wood said, talking about looking for bargains. "I can't explain it ... We'd go places and it was just neat."
Wood, 25, opened Fulton's latest resale shop - officially named Alicia and Ken Ken's Resale Shop 3 - on Saturday, Dec. 6. The store is located adjacent to the old Sir Winston's Restaurant at 1203 South Business 54. Inside there's jewelry, formal dresses, shoes, purses, home decor, hats and men's and children's clothing. Popular brands include Under Armour, Victoria's Secret, Nike, Justice, Carter's and American Eagle.
Wood purchases new clothes with tags and second-hand apparel.
Even with an abundance of items, she said she can help search for anything the store may be missing.
"You name it, it's here," Wood said. "If not, I can find it for you."
Wood said furniture is coming soon. She will refurbish pieces in a chalk-paint or modern style, which brings out her creative side. After she thinks a project's complete, Wood takes a second look.
"I'll get something started and think, "I'm going to leave it,' then I take it to a whole other level," she said.
Being a resale shop, Wood will purchase clothing and items from people who bring them in. She also scours the Internet and goes shopping to keep her inventory fresh. Wood said she takes clothing three years old or newer and looks for name brands.
The prices are fair, she said, and come to her naturally when she looks at a garment.
"I just look at it and I know," Wood said. "I know when I see it and can quote you off the top of my head."
This is Wood's third time opening a resale shop. The first is no longer open and her second location is in Poplar Bluff where she attended college. In Poplar Bluff, Wood said she's known for her collection of Victoria's Secret clothes.
Her first store caused her a lot of stress, but she said she's mellowed out since then and has learned patience. Wood said she enjoys meeting new people each day.
Wood's resale shops allow her to continue her favorite activity professionally.
"(Running the stores) is just something I really like," she said. "I get to go shopping a lot and I love shopping - I love shopping."
The motivation for Wood, though, is her 3-year-old daughter Kennadie, who can be found in the store greeting customers, dancing and dressing up with jewelry and high heels far too big for her small feet.
"I think she's the one who keeps me going every day - to make sure she can have a good future," Wood said.
Alicia and Ken Ken's Resale Shop 3 is open 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday and noon-3 p.m. Sunday.