Woman's Exchange begins expansion

Construction crews demolished a historic building abutting Laurel Park this month for the proposed expansion of a philanthropic consignment shop.

The Woman's Exchange purchased a 4,500-square-foot residential property next to its Burns Square location for $275,000 in 2012, in anticipation of an expansion. The property at 526 Rawls Ave. could be used for additional storage or retail space to complement the 10,500-square-foot building on Orange Avenue.

“Our organization is growing, and we are looking to move forward,” Woman's Exchange Executive Director and CEO Karen Koblenz told the Sarasota Observer in April. The consignment shop takes in close to 20,000 items a month and sells close to 10,000 items, Koblenz said. Last year, it contributed $380,000 in arts grants and scholarships.