CROMWELL - Connecticut's only plus-sized women’s clothing consignment shop prides itself on inclusivity.

       Big Deals Plus Size Consignment owner Cindy Lynn said that she could not find unique plus-sized items before her shop.

       “I would go consignment shopping, and I couldn't find colorful fun clothes in my size,” Lynn said. “When I would take my items in, they were kind of frowned upon.”

       The shop is located at 336 Main Street B and is open Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Thursday from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

       Lynn said she owned a daycare for 31 years before opening her consignment shop. After leaving her old location, she has been in Cromwell for 13 years, she said.

       “It’s just me, which is really nice because I get to know my consignors and clientele,” she said. “Just because you’re a size 14 and up doesn’t mean you don’t like to be sexy, frilly, or boho.”

       According to Lynn, some people fail to treat plus-sized individuals equally.

       “We just happen to have a little more on our body,” she said. “So that’s really how I’ve geared my business and found a lot of people that really have supported and enjoyed shopping.”

       Lynn said that many items are shipped new and include tags. She also said her items could be gifted to others.

       “You’re helping the consignor, and you’re helping a small woman-owned business,” she said.

       According to Lynn, she started a Facebook live show a few months ago. She said her show airs every Tuesday at 7:00 p.m.

       “Now the store in downtown Cromwell can reach across the country,” she said. “I have ladies that shop locally that want to pick up their items here, and I have shipping available to people outside the area, and it’s really expanded even more so.”

       Lynn said the shop withstood the coronavirus by selling face masks outside of the store.

       “I was able to keep the store here because I believed so much in it,” she said. “I always say I can’t retire because customers will drag me back to the store.”

       Lynn said the store sells sterling silver jewelry, shoes, and purses.

       “I do have some really beautiful sterling and vintage costume jewelry that I sell,” she said.

       According to Lynn, the store has on-street and private parking lots.

       “This store is a sisterhood, and it’s wonderful,” she said. “Friendships are made in the store, and it’s a wonderful thing.”

       For more information on the shop, search Big Deals Plus~Size consignment on Facebook.