Hand-Me-Downs on the Up-and-Up

Take a walk around any Southwest neighborhood and you’ll be sure to find one of the area's numerous second-hand stores and consignment shops. 

With at least 15 consignment-clothing stores in or within a mile of Southwest Minneapolis, and seemingly more on the way every year, it would seem that owners feel threatened by the escalating competition.

“I think I’m okay though,” said Geri Powell, owner of 43rd and Nicollet's . “I’ve built my business over 13 years. About 75 percent of my business is regular customers.”

“I have over 1,000 consignors. They just bring things in whenever I’m open,” Powell says. “I try to stay with particular brands in good condition, with styles that I know are wearable.”

Powell is still settling into the new location as the store recently moved from 3800 Grand Ave. Outside, racks of clothing, balloons and colorful streamers give it the appearance a garage sale. Inside, Better Than Ever resembles a large closet spilling over with a wide variety of items.

15 Stores, and No Competition

Daune Stinson, owner of June, an upscale resale store at 34th and Lyndale, agrees with Powell's assessment of the market.

“It’s not really competition. If you don’t find it here, you can go there. I recommend places to people all the time,” she says. “There could be more, because we’re all completely different.”

Two and-a-half years ago, Stinson opened June, because she felt upscale resale shops in Southwest were lacking.

An elegant, swanky space, June stands out from the crowd on visual appearance alone. With items ranging from $20 to $3,000, Stinson promises customers that upon first glance of a price tag — in her store or anywhere —they shouldn’t be discouraged.

Unlike a 50/50 dollar split between consigners and the consignment shop, Stinson buys directly from consigners and closets to avoid waiting periods.

“You don’t have to pay $800 for a beautiful dress. It will eventually show up somewhere,” Stinson says. “A lot of my stuff comes in with tags, never been worn. I just think my philosophy is more accessible quality style.”

Seriously Hip

For Allison Bross, owner ofb., the business of consignment is personal.

“I’m really into fashion, I love clothing and love the earth,” says Bross. “Combining the two is doing a used clothing store. You’re recycling fashion which is preventing waste.”

The store, at 54th and Nicollet, doesn't fit the typical consignment store image. Hip-hop music pumps out of the store speakers complimenting the graffiti covered walls and framed quote that reads, “If loving fashion is a crime we plead guilty.”

Trendy shoes for men and women line shelves that hover overhead. Standing to the left of a picture of rapper Trina, contemporary earrings and sunglasses Bross explains,

“Given our neighborhood, there’s a lot of people looking for standards brands like J. Crew and Banana Republic,” which the store has. “But, we’re also getting the hipster younger people coming in looking for vintage and hard to find pieces.”

When she’s not working full-time at her other job, Bross attends events around town. Supporting local record labels, stores and movements is part of the work that goes into keeping b. afloat. By showing her support, Bross hopes that others will return the favor.

“There’s a lot of stores that do vintage and mall brands, so we’re trying to set ourselves apart and focus more on the hip-hop community,” Bross added. “We’re the only ones I think that are trying to hit the urban market.”

Southwest resident Anna Viviano shops often. In between strolls, picking up her children and getting her car serviced, she finds time to drop in somewhere.

“Maybe I average once a week,” she said. “Whatever I’m close to.”

Last week she browsed through the racks at June. As for her best find, “I picked up some really nice Mephisto shoes,” she said with a smile.

Reasonable Prices Draw Regulars

At  manager Sasha Westerberg asks customers if they need assistance. One of the largest shops in Southwest, the store boasts two floors of clothing and accessories for the whole family.

Items at Nu Look are priced at one-third of the retail value.

“We take name brand things, children’s clothes may be anywhere from $5-$20. We have a women’s designer section so it gets kind of pricey, but most things are fairly priced,” she said.

Westerberg has worked in the consignment business for five years and has yet to become bored of it.

“We’re very rooted in the community and you get to talk to a lot of regular customers. It’s just a very fun environment.”