Former business owner returns to retail with Aria’s Upscale Resale

Rhonda Parks opened Aria’s Upscale Resale in Southgate Shopping Center because she missed working in retail.

Parks operated January’s Closet but had to close it in 2012 due to some family medical issues. This year, she decided it was a good time to bring back a resale shop specializing in name brand, gently used clothing for men, women and children, baby items and toys as well as purses and jewelry.

She reopened in July carrying brands like Hollister, Abercrombie, American Eagle, Rue 21, Aeropostale, Old Navy, Justice, Nike, Adidas, Under Armour, Carters, Gap, Gymboree, H&M, Michael Kors, Coach, and Vera Bradley.

If you are looking to get rid of some of the items in these categories, the new store will consign items as well as purchase them on the spot.

There’s a pretty good reason Parks didn’t just reopen as January’s closet.

“We thought about bringing back the original name of January’s Closet but our 7-year-old granddaughter, Aria, insisted we use her name,” she explained.

The business is a family affair that Parks operates with her husband, Bill, son, Justin Lawson, my daughter in law, Lauren Harter, and grandson, Jarek Yarberry.

Parks is glad to be back out in the public with a business.

“There has not been a place in Jasper that people can bring their gently used items to in years, so we have a lot of inventory to put out already,” she said adding that she missed her consignors from January’s Closet and was glad that some had come back to work with her in the new business.

In addition to all the items listed above, Parks’ grandson will also have his own section for collectible cards, video games, and small electronics.

Aria’s Upscale Resale is located at 283 S. U.S. Highway 231 in Jasper’s Southgate Shopping Center near the BMV office. Their hours are Tuesdays through Fridays 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. They are on Facebook here and can be contacted by phone at 812-481-5278.