Sheri Granberry collects vintage Chanel jewelry. She sells her pieces at Hertha's Second Edition's, an upscale consignment shop in Mobile. (Press-Register photos/Victor Calhoun) Most fashionistas can only dream of owning a piece of vintage jewelry or clothing from the couture house of Chanel. But dreams do come true, according to Sheri Granberry, who, on a whim, became a collector of vintage Chanel jewelry. Granberry is now a collector and personal shopping assistant at Hertha’s Second Edition, an upscale ladies consignment boutique in Spring Hill. 'It all began with my search for something really special to celebrate my fiftieth birthday. I wanted something over the top,' Granberry said.

1. Hertha's Second Edition Daphne Al

Granberry said she starting searching the Internet for 'all things Chanel.' The search led her all over the country before she finally scored one piece, a gold necklace with a large circle medallion bearing the name Chanel.

'I was so excited to get it. And after I had it authenticated, I wanted more. So I started searching again.' Granberry’s new hobby has now turned into a passion and an accumulation of vintage runway jewelry from Chanel. Most of the pieces are labeled 'runway' because they are large and have been used in fashion shows from Paris to New York. Her collector’s items are sold strictly from Hertha’s consignment boutique. When someone buys a Chanel piece, they are given a letter of authenticity.

'The first day she brought a piece into my store, it sold within minutes,' said Hertha Green, owner of the boutique. 'From the reactions we received, I knew we had to get more.' Hertha Green is the owner of Hertha's Second Editions, located in the Springhill area of Mobile. She's been in the consignment business for more than 18 years. Hertha’s Second Edition is located in Mobile’s Springhill Village shopping center. Green started the boutique more than 18 years ago with a location in Fairhope. She also has a shop in Daphne.

'For years, I’ve had so many loyal customers travelling from Mobile to my other stores. And when I heard this building was available, I couldn’t resist,' Green said. The Spring Hill store opened its doors in December 2009 and now has more than 1,000 consignors, according to Green. 'Most of our clothing and jewelry are one-of-a-kind, really special things,' said Granberry, who manages the couture end of the boutique. 'Not all of our consignors are local.

Hertha's Second Edition Daphne Al

We get things from New York as well. From BCBG and Louis Vuitton to JCrew and Marc Jacobs, we’ve got it all.'

Hertha’s is a treasure trove that’s festive, inviting and extremely organized. The front of the boutique is strictly couture labels with designer blue jeans lining one wall and furs on the opposite wall. The center of the store features designer handbags (I’m talking Louis Vuitton and Chanel), followed by gowns and shoes. The bargain racks and fitting rooms are in the rear. Surrounding the checkout counter is vintage jewelry and designer sunglasses. 'We are women who love to shop also,' said Green.

'So we know what women want and we try to provide that.' According to Green, consignment shopping is stimulating the economy these days. 'And it’s such a unique shopping experience because there is always something different, lots of one-of-a-kinds. ' Owning something unique is what Diane Smalls of Daphne loves most about consignment shopping. 'I’ve been visiting Hertha’s since she opened her doors 18 years ago,' said Smalls, who was amazed by the new Chanel cuff bracelet Granberry had just brought into the store. 'I just have to try it on,' Smalls said. 'See, this is what I love about this store, always something unique.

And the service and quality can’t be beat.'