Sondra Trawick-Reis has always wanted to own her own business, so when the opportunity arose, she created Lucky Leo’s Resale in Hebron. Originally from the Calumet Township region, Trawick-Reis has lived in Hebron for about 17 years.
“We moved down here because we had a child, and we wanted to raise our children in a small, close-knit community,” Trawick-Reis said.
Prior to Lucky Leo’s, Trawick-Reis was going to take over a local resale shop called Andrea’s Gift & Thrift.
“Andrea and her husband decided that after running their store for five years, they were ready to move on to a different area and seek other avenues,” Trawick-Reis said. “But we kept coming across some hurdles, one being that the store that they were in was up for sale, and we weren’t ready to purchase a building yet, so we couldn't stay where she was at.”
The COVID-19 pandemic had also complicated plans as Andrea’s Gift & Thrift ended up closing two months before scheduled.
Trawick-Reis helped to pack up Andrea’s Gift & Thrift, and on May 4, 2020, she opened up her own storefront - Lucky Leo’s Resale.
“I actually think the pandemic helped us because we are a small business, and we did have to have strict guidelines as far as masks and sanitizing,” Trawick-Reis said. “With everything being closed down, it just benefited us. We had a lot of really amazing business right at the beginning.”
Trawick-Reis makes sure that Lucky Leo’s Resale is accessible for all community members, regardless of income.
“The way we run our store is if I wouldn’t pay that amount of money for something, I’m not going to mark it any higher. I price it at what I would pay for it,” Trawick-Reis said. “I don’t run a resale shop with your typical collectibles and antiques because I don’t have the knowledge for that. I wanted to run an everyday resale store, everyday items that you need to live is what I wanted.”
Lucky Leo’s Resale carries items such as clothing, toys, shoes, kitchen supplies, home decor, and more. The shop has sales on inventory regularly and is also known for its $5 jeans, regardless of brand or condition.
“We help out a lot of the families. We have multiple families in our community that are on restricted or low income, so I wanted to make sure that I could cater to the lower-income, the needier families,” Trawick-Reis said.
Trawick-Reis also helps her community through donations. Once a specific inventory of clothes has cycled through her various sales and dollar rack, she donates what remains.
“I take them and start calling local school nurses to see if they need spare clothes for the kids. So, we give a lot of clothes to the school nurses and then I will call around to the shelters. We also donate to the local mental hospital,” Trawick-Reis said.
The shop is run entirely on donations, but those who donate receive a punch card for discounts up to 50% off, which can be combined with other sales.
One of Trawick-Reis’ favorite parts of her store is getting to work with her customers.
“My favorite thing is getting to bond with our customers more than anything. Knowing what they’re needing, knowing if we can supply that need for them, or keeping our eyes and ears peeled to help them. That is what I really enjoy about the resale store, that I got more into a helping resource as well as the resale shop,” Trawick-Reis said. “If there’s a need you bring it to us, we’ll figure out a way to help that family.”
Trawick-Reis also provides for her community by helping and donating to families who lost their homes to fires. She also allows families with foster placements to come into Lucky Leo's and pick out seven days worth of clothing for free for the foster child.
Lucky Leo’s also allowed Trawick-Reis to have more time with her family.
“It worked out that I could run a business and raise my children in it. In our store, we actually have a family room,” Trawick-Reis said. “I not only run my store, but I raise my children in the store. Every now and then I allow my workers to bring their children in as well because I know that it is very difficult to find sitters. I know that they can work just as well with their children playing in the backroom.”
Trawick-Reis, who has five kids, enjoys spending time with her family. Together, they like to camp, swim, craft, and visit other resale stores and flea markets.
Trawick-Reis’ family had also inspired the name of Lucky Leo’s. “Lucky” because Trawick-Reis is Irish and “Leo” because many of her family members’ astrological sign is Leo, including Trawick-Reis herself, her young son, and her partner, Jessica.