Biz Beat: Stylish steals are hot at Modesto's Hut

The hottest fashions at the coolest prices are promised at the new Hut No. 8 in Modesto.

The national chain, a brand-name clothing exchange, buys and sells lightly used attire for teenagers and up. The store is the company's first West Coast location. Modesto owner Ben Balsbaugh opened it in July in the Marshalls shopping center.

General Manager Ashley Quarante said the concept has taken off in the area and she already has regulars who come in almost every day looking for new finds. The store pays cash for the latest used styles and then sells them for at least half off.

"Our selection changes every day and we post the hot items daily on Facebook," she said. "It's a whole vibe you're experiencing in there. Fun music and hip, name-brand clothes."

The store's look is meant to evoke a beach resort, with palm trees and a tin roof. Abercrombie & Fitch, Aeropostal, American Eagle and Hollister are the preferred brands, but the shop also carries clothing, jewelry, accessories, purses and hats ranging from Forever 21 to Coach.

Quarante said sellers can walk in anytime, though reservations are recommended. She requests that the clothing be folded, clean and in a handle bag.

Visit Hut No. 8 at 3440 McHenry Ave., Suite E-6. For more, see www.facebook.com/hutno8modesto or call (209) 522-4888.

Elsewhere around the Business Beat:

Get caught sneaking into Lisa's Cookie Jar.

The cookie shop opened in May, offering custom creations in downtown Turlock. Owner Lisa Fernandes has been baking her decorative shortbread cookies for three years and wanted to expand.

She can make custom cookies in hundreds of different designs for special events. In the shop she offers a selection of her shortbread, chocolate chip, snickerdoodle and other flavors. It has indoor and outdoor seating and serves coffee and drinks.

Lisa's Cookie Jar, 115 S. Broadway, is open from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Call (209) 656-9745.

And finally, Crescent Work & Outdoor in downtown Modesto invites the public to a free customer barbecue to celebrate the grand opening of its new 5.11 Tactical Select Store on Sept. 7. The event will feature an appearance by "Top Shot" reality series season 3 winner Dustin Ellermann. Festivities will run from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Call Crescent, 801 Eighth St., at (209) 529-3490.

Have an item for Business Beat? Contact Marijke Rowland at The Modesto Bee, P.O. Box 5256, Modesto 95352; (209) 578-2284; or mrowland@modbee.com.