If life gave you another chance, what would you do with it? Channel it into giving your passion all you’ve got, per- haps?
That’s exactly what Holly Heenan decided to do last year. She’s a Stage 2 HER2+ breast-cancer survivor and own- er of Another Chance Consignment.
“My dream has always been to open a consignment shop,” she remembers. “However, I understood how hard operating a small business – let alone a retail shop – can be, so I chose an accounting career that is basically income safe.”
But a cancer diagnosis that turned to infection and required a short-term disability leave from her decades-long career convinced her to take the risk. Running a consignment shop was originally Heenan’s retirement plan. But she knew that life is too short and tomorrow isn’t promised – and her boss agreed.
Within a month’s time in October 2024, the store was open.
Even though Heenan’s main objective has always been to curate a unique, fash- ionable selection of pieces – from vintage wedding dresses to stylish sneakers to keychains crafted by local artisans – she says her favorite part of being in the business is “hands down meeting the customers.”
“I have so much fun at the shop, from singing and dancing to the Eagles’ fight song when they won the championship to everyday organic conversations that happen,” she notes.
“… The shop brings me so much joy that it doesn’t feel like work when I’m there.”
Whether you want to shop sustain- ably, marvel at one-of-a-kind handmade pieces, or just support independent creatives, Another Chance gives you the opportunity.
Having moved to Fishtown 30 years ago, Heenan has seen several phases of the area’s development. She continues to be “amazed (by) how far it’s come.”
“Now I’m a mom and see another side of it: community,” she explains, “I’m honored to be a part of it.”
Partnered with neighborhood vendors such as Fishtown Stitch, The Philly Tar- ot Deck and Sisterly Threads + Co. – to name a few – Another Chance provides something meaningful for everyone, from sports fans to woodwork enthusiasts to dinosaur lovers.
As a life-long thrifter who always loved giving fashion a second life, Heenan put her Queen of Consignment title to use long before going full-force retail. From the moment she could shop, she thrifted.
Her credentials include working at the first Buffalo Exchange in Philly; managing a British Heart Foundation Charity Shop in England while pursuing her master’s in business administration; and, of course, listing items for sale on platforms like Poshmark.
Consignment is not Heenan’s only fo- cus though. As a breast-cancer survivor, she participated in Philadelphia’s annual Broad Street Run in May to raise money for the American Cancer Society, despite deciding only a month before that she would participate.
She raised $1,200.
“This year was a bit surreal …” Heenan reflects. “The sentimental moment for me was running the DetermiNation’s dedica- tion mile near the end of the race that hon- ored the deceased, survivors and patients going through treatment.”
With a double-meaning loaded into its name, Another Chance Consignment lets customers get a bang for their buck, add something unique to their closets and re- duce the amount of fast fashion that ends up in landfills.
“I hope my future unfolds the way it has historically,” Heenan observes, “by following my gut instinct, taking chances and allowing the universe to take care of the rest.” — The Hook
If you want to give your pre-loved clothing and accessories a new home, Another Chance seeks seasonal items in excellent condition. Make an appointment with Heen- an by contacting her on Instagram @AnotherChance_Fishtown or by emailing her at AnotherChance. Fishtown@gmail.com.
