Conversations with Rebekah Ciardella

Today we’d like to introduce you to Rebekah Ciardella.

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Hi, my name is Rebekah Ciardella (maiden name Spezzacatena). We’re a family-run business, owned by my parents Brenda and Jon Spezzacatena, and my grandma, Molly Varner. Before Uptown, they owned and operated Kid to Kid in Ahwatukee for 17 years, and after selling that store to their manager, we decided as a family to open Uptown Cheapskate Chandler in 2013.

Fast forward 11 years, and here we are! I manage the store full-time, but it’s definitely still a family effort. You’ll often see my mom and grandma helping with buying, organizing, or backend work. My dad jumps in on busy days to run registers or fix tech issues, my husband Jesse handles overstock and all the handyman projects, and even my brother comes in to help out when needed.

It’s been amazing growing this business as a family — and one of my favorite things is that no matter when you walk in, you’re almost always greeted by one of us.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
There has definitely been some bumps in the road. The fashion world is always changing, so we’re constantly having to stay on top of what’s going to sell and what isn’t. On top of that, being a family business has its own challenges, we don’t really “clock out.” Whether it’s employees calling out, last-minute emergencies, or even while we’re on vacation, the store always comes first. Add in raising two little kids under three, and it’s been a juggling act for sure!

One of our biggest struggles has also been getting our name out there. Even after 11 years, we’re really focused on going back to our grassroots, connecting with the community, building relationships, and finding creative ways to remind people we’re here.

Like so many businesses, Covid also hit us hard, and figuring out how to make things work during that time was a huge challenge. But at the end of the day, we love this store and our customers so much that we pushed through, and we’re proud of how far we’ve come.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
We’re a fashion resale store! Customers bring in their clothes, shoes, purses, and accessories, and we check everything for brand, style, and condition. Then we offer either store credit or cash on the spot.

What really sets us apart is how easy we make the shopping experience. Instead of digging through endless racks hoping to find something good, we’ve already done the work for you. Our store is laid out like a mall — everything is organized by section, so tops are together, bottoms are together, and it’s simple to shop. The bonus is that you get that one-stop-shop feel with all different brands and styles in one place, without having to bounce around to a dozen different stores.

I also love that our employees each have their own unique style, so the store reflects a mix of fashion perspectives, not just one “look.” But I think the biggest thing that makes us different is our genuine love for our store and our customers. We’re not a big, disconnected company — we’re a family business that really values the experience people have here. Whether it’s finding that perfect piece or just connecting with our team, we want every customer to leave feeling excited and cared for.

Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
You’re stronger than you think — you really can do it! It’s a lot of hard work, but it’s so worth it in the end. My biggest advice would be to get in touch with your community and lean into grassroots marketing. Use what you have around you and let people support you — you don’t have to do it all alone.

Being a boss is tough because you truly care for each employee and want what’s best for them as well as for the business. My advice is to keep leading with love and empathy, even in the hard seasons. And most importantly, stick through those challenges, because they really do make the wins that much sweeter.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.uptowncheapskate.com/location/chandler/
• Instagram: Uptown_Chandler
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/UptownChandler/
• Other: Tiktok: @uptown_chandler