As back-to-school shopping kicks into high gear, resale clothing shops like Runway Fashion Exchange, Brooks St. Brad and Ari Onstot, both in their early 30s, bought the Missoula Runway Fashion Exchange two years ago after watching their Great Falls franchise take off like crazy. People are getting into that mindset that they can buy new and buy for less. Nationally, the fashion resale market has grown 21 times faster than the retail market in the last three years, according to a Resale Report by thredUP, an online thrift store.
And the market is expected to grow nearly 1. Business models vary, but resale stores usually either consign items or pay cash, plus they tend to be more selective than common variety thrift stores, like YWCA Secret Seconds, which rely strictly on clothing donations to pass along to the paying public and various charity programs. His staff sorts, hangs and displays the items, but customers must bring in freshly laundered, in-style clothing in near-new condition.
Mostly, they sell casual wear, such as jeans, shirts, jackets and long-sleeved shirts. Loralei Curtiss, 22, Runway Fashion Exchange manager, is especially tuned in to her customer base. He did not differentiate among resale, consignment or thrift stores. Montana data reflect a similar trend: In , there were used merchandise establishments across the state. By , there were Magpies Chic Consignment, S. Russell St. Her philosophy extends beyond the typical retail resale approach, as she welcomes customers into a supportive hang-out.
Morgan works on a consignment basis. A consigner comes in, she displays the clothes on the floor for 60 days, and she pays 30 percent of the eventual sales price. I get three generations who come in here, from teens to women in their 90s. I have beverages, chocolate kisses and beautiful bags. I want it to be a really lovely experience. As of Aug. In fact, another Missoula resale store, ReStyle Clothing Exchange, is so popular, it is expanding into a bigger space in September.
Owner Alice Wimett said her shop is moving from Brooks St. B to North Avenue W. Like most of the Missoula resale and traditional thrift stores, she advertises heavily on social media, where many shops announce daily or weekly sales specials — especially now that back-to-school shoppers are in the groove.
