In the midst of recession, saving money is trendy. Secondhand clothing stores have been on the rise in the Phoenix area to capitalize on this trend by making vintage both fashionable and affordable!
Butter Toast Boutique
Butter Toast brings modern appeal to vintage clothing. The boutique has a broad style spectrum of primarily vintage merchandise and some locally handmade goods. From women and menswear to shoes, accessories, children’s clothing and some housewares. Every piece is handpicked, according to owner Jasmine Jarrett.
Jarrett brings “new” vintage items to the store every week.
“We don’t get rid of things very often, because they are unique pieces and someone wants them somewhere, or it fits somebody somewhere,” Jarrett said.
Shorts, skirts and dresses are approximately $20 or $30. Scarves and belts are priced between $5 and $10. There is also a 50 percent off clothing rack on the patio.
Butter Toast has been at its current location of 908 N. 6th Street for two and a half years, and Jarrett has seen slow growth with each year. Butter Toast Boutique is open Monday through Friday from 12 to 7 p.m. and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. It can also be found on Facebook or at www.buttertoastboutique.com.
GROWop
GROWop is a coop made up of five or six people who work at the store, as well as contribute the merchandise.
“The owners have picked an eclectic, but well suited group,” said coop member Haley Andresen. “We all have different styles, but they all seem to kind of go together.”
The store also sells some clothing from local consignors and handmade goods. Part of the GROWop’s charm stems from a community garden open to the public to sign up and rent a plot, according to Andresen. The storefront also includes a $5 clothing bin and a sale rack.
Men’s and women’s shirts are about $25, and most clothes, including dresses, jackets, skirts and sweaters are between $20 and $40. Handmade ties are approximately $8.
GROWop is located at 902 N. 6th Street, and is open Tuesday through Sunday from 12 to 7 p.m. For more information, visit GROWop boutique on Facebook or Tumblr.
Mercantile
Part hair salon and part vintage clothing store, Mercantile sells clothing and accessories from the 50s to the 90s. Owner Shauna Thibault felt that she wasn’t efficiently using her space, so two years ago she added a purely vintage boutique with mostly women’s apparel and some menswear.
“I like to find stuff that’s kind of wearable—easy to add to your daily wardrobe,” Thibault said.
She gets her merchandise by traveling in and out of the state, going to estate sales and sometimes through donations from other people.
“It’s amazing as time goes on, the vintage bracket just gets bigger and bigger,” Thibault said.
Her store features dresses and skirts for about $30, shirts at $20, belts for about $6, jewelry near $12, and bowties at about $40. For more information, email info@phoenixmercantile.com, find them on Facebook or stop by the store at 828 N. Central Ave.
Vintage by Misty
Misty Guerriero-Navon describes her store as “Bohemian chic.” She carries all vintage clothing from the mid-60s to the late-80s. When asked how she finds her merchandise, Guerriero-Navon jokingly said, “That’s the secret.” She travels all over the world looking for items.
“I scour with dealers and different collectors and other vintage stores,” she said. The owner has purchased items in London, Paris, Telaviv, San Francisco, and Vancouver, among other cities.
“I scour the hottest cities to find just great vintage,” Guerriero-Navon said. “I like to say that I’m a curator, not a thriftier.”
She looks for glamorous pieces and loves flowy, funky, and printed clothes. Aside from clothing and accessories, she also sells art and home accessories.
Guerriero-Navon feels like her business has gone up as more people are moving to the downtown Phoenix area. She carries pieces starting around $20 and has price points across the board with designer wear and items intended for collectors.
“I feel like it’s a range where it’s still affordable for everyone,” she said. She also offers discounts with student ID.
Vintage by Misty is located at 818 N. Central Avenue and can be reached by phone at (602) 707-6235, via Facebookor by email at misty@vintagebymisty.com.
Amir’s La Voûte
Located in the back of Vintage by Misty, Amir’s La Voûte carries exclusively vintage menswear and some handmade items. Owner Amir Saebi designs his own bowties for sale between $30 and $40. He also sells ascots, accessories and other unique, casual and formal menswear.
Amir’s La Voûte has been open for approximately eight months and will be expanding in October, according to Saebi. Just like his business partner, Saebi travels to find the perfect vintage items. Although he and Guerriero-Navon have yet to travel together, they are planning to.
Saebi also receives merchandise by ordering through conference calls and trading with other stores.
Amir’s La Voûte is open Tuesday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The owner can be reached by email at amirsaebi@me.com or on the store’s Facebook page.
Audrey Weil
Photo Credits: Audrey Weil and Clarissa Cooper
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