Business & Tech
Making Old Clothes New Again at JuJu Gear in Eden Prairie
The store features skirts and other clothing that has been created using cloth from otherwise discarded clothing.
Skirts at new store JuJu Gear in Eden Prairie are like a “T-shirt for the tush,” said JuJu Gear sales and marketer Aimee Spivak.
Old sweaters, T-shirts, pants, and other clothing unfit for sale at typical thrift stores find refuge from the trash can at JuJu Gear. Staff at JuJu Gear re-use the perfectly good pieces of cloth to create skirts, lounge pants, scarves and more.
“We have saved 45,000 articles of clothing from the landfill,” Spivak said.
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The company, which is native to Montana, opened its very first retail location earlier this month at the Eden Prairie Center. Spivak grew up in the area and often traveled back sporting her JuJu Gear. Her friends wanted to buy the skirts, so the company decided to test the market and open the store.
There are possible plans to open retail locations in other states as well, Spivak said. Previously, the skirts were only available online.
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“There’s no two alike,” Spivak said, “nor can there be.”
Spivak explained that the company rarely buys cloth for its clothing and accessories. Instead it receives donations from shoppers and thrift stores. Shoppers receive a punch on their JuJu Gear loyalty card for every three bags of clothing they donate. The biggest need is for T-shirts, but they accept almost any type of clothing for re-use, Spivak said.
The skirts are available in the store in sizes toddler 2 to women’s size 22 and can be custom ordered. Also featured at the store is a doll skirt station. Children can select the cloth pieces for a doll skirt that will be made right in the store.
The name JuJu Gear, comes from the idea of “good juju,” Spivak said, which she described as similar to karma. Repurposing clothing that would otherwise have been discarded is good juju.
JuJu Gear is located on the second floor of the Eden Prairie Center between Master Cuts and Visionworks near JCPenney. JuJu Gear will close on Dec. 30, though Spivak noted the company is considering prolonging its stay in Eden Prairie.
JuJu Gear has a Facebook fan page for its Eden Prairie store.
