FAQs

  • What is Les Passees?

Les Passees is a 100-plus-year-old women’s service organization with the mission of supporting Memphis’s children and their families. Through fundraisers, Les Passees grants monies to the Les Passees Kids on the Block puppet troupe and the Harwood Center preschool for children with special needs.

  • Who are the Les Passees Kids on the Block?

The Les Passees Kids on the Block are puppet troupe whom perform educational programs in grade schools. KOTB teaches school children life lessons and ways to combat peer pressure. Topics include avoiding alcohol and drugs, and accepting physical differences in others. Each year, the puppets meet over 25,000 public and private grade school children in the Memphis area.

  • What is Les Passees Stock Exchange?

The Les Passees major fundraiser, Stock Exchange, is held every fall for six weeks as an up-scale consignment store for home furnishings. The Stock Exchange features furniture, paintings, rugs, china, jewelry and beautiful decorative items for the home. Member volunteers accept items for consignment from over 1,000 different consignors, and they set up and run the store. Generous commercial property partnerships afford the club retail space, but that space may change every year. Stay in touch to see where Stock Exchange will be this fall.

  • Where will the next Stock Exchange be held?

Because Les Passees relies on commercial partnerships for store space, the announcement about this year’s store will be made as soon as possible. For over 30 years, Stock Exchange has been held in the fall. Watch the Les Passees website and Facebook page to keep informed about the location and important dates.

  • What portion of sales is kept by Stock Exchange?

Les Passeess Stock Exchange accepts consignment of a variety of upscale household items with a 30/70 split. The 30 percent share for Les Passees stays in Memphis to benefit the club’s current projects. Review the Consignment Contract for more details. All consignors set prices for their merchandise. Les Passees reserves the right to refuse consignment of any item at any time. Payments for items sold are completed by check within a few weeks of store closing.

  • What items do you take at Stock Exchange, and can I consign clothes?

Les Passees Stock Exchange does not accept clothes, with the exception of fine furs. The store sells clean items in good repair for the home, including: furniture, art, rugs, crystal, china, dishes, lamps and more. Check the list of items accepted for consignment.

  • What are the details of becoming a Stock Exchange consignor?

During Stock Exchange, consignment begins at the store location approximately four weeks before the store opens. After the store opening, consignment continues for new merchandise until shortly before the store closes for the season. Consignors pay a fee of $25 per 50 items consigned. Consignors receive a 70% share of sale prices. All consignors set prices for their own merchandise including: furniture, art, rugs, crystal, china, dishes, lamps and more. Review the list of items accepted for consignment. Les Passees reserves the right to refuse consignment of any item at any time. Payments to consignors for items sold are completed by check within a few weeks of the store closing.

  • What is Les Passees Cabaret?

The annual Cabaret gala celebrates the Les Passees sponsors and the hard-working volunteers of Les Passees for a job well done. The gala features Les Passees children who serve as Living Ads, their Escorts, and Pages representing our sponsors, and a silent auction.

  • What does Les Passees mean?

Les Passees are French words used by the founders to describe their philanthropic efforts as they were seen by others – “no longer fashionable”. Over 100 years ago, the Les Passees founders saw a need and began a movement to help in Memphis. Because their hands-on-approach was not a popular way for women to contribute to their community in the day, they were considered “passees” or out of style. Through the years, the club has supported many different entities. Today Les Passees supports the children’s charities Les Passees Kids on the Block and the Harwood Center for preschool children.

  • How do I become a Les Passees member?

Les Passees welcomes women with a love of the community and time to devote to service and volunteering.

The club membership drive starts at the beginning of each calendar year, but members actively seek like-minded women interested in helping the children of Memphis throughout the year. Financial obligations and service hour requirements are a part of being a Les Passees member. Please see material under “About: Join” for more information.