The Dress for Less store at 25th and Vliet streets isn’t by any stretch of the imagination anything more than another resale clothing shop. It’s in a storefront along an otherwise nearly vacant block in a hardscrabble and seemingly forgotten neighborhood. But once you meet the proprietors, Belinda Pittman-McGee and her 
husband, Corthal, you start to realize that this store is more than just retail; it’s a beacon of hope to the community and to the other residents in this block-long building that also houses the Nia Imani Family Center, Inc., which Pittman-McGee founded.
The center is a transitional housing program fostering independence for mothers and children recovering from homelessness, family violence and substance abuse. The shop is stocked with donated clothing and accessories, and it helps educate by providing a learning environment for some of the nonprofit’s ongoing programs. On the recommendation of dear friend and center supporter, Julilly Kohler, I stopped by to check 
out the store and see how I may be able to help them improve the appeal to passersby and possibly bring in new customers.
As I rifled the racks of mostly women’s clothing, I found to my surprise and delight many vintage and designer pieces. If they were in a shop in another area of town, they wouldn’t still be for sale! For example, a Carmen Marc Valvo two-piece, beaded suit in perfect condition graced the racks. I attended this designer’s show in NYC last February. Also on hand was
a vintage, St. John knit suit with sleeveless jacket and pleated skirt in orange and cream, a pretty spectacular piece as well as a collector’s item. By patiently looking, I also spied a 1950s-
era, three-quarter-length sleeve, a-line dress with pockets in black velvet with rhinestone trim. When I ran a vintage store in the ’80s, this would have been a great score.
Remember, good style and fashion is never about the price or where you bought it but about how it flatters, fits and makes you feel. Personally, I like the idea of buying from nonprofit stores, simply because it is a win/win situation. You take home an item, and the cause benefits from your money.
Both Pittman-McGee and her husband are warm, caring individuals, and this comes through in the very first moments you meet them. Being the inquisitive person that I am, I needed to ask them some questions regarding style, fashion and how a humble resale shop changes lives.
How long has the store been open?
Belinda Pittman-McGee: I opened the first store in October 2006 on 27th Street and have been at the current location, 2511 West Vliet, 
since January 2009.
How is Dress for Less utilized in the mission of the Nia Imani Center?
BPM: The store is utilized in the mission of Nia Imani because of the Life Skills Curriculum, a three-month skill-building program that focuses on job training and employment skills.
How has working at the store affected the women who have been or are still in your program?
BPM: The women who make it through to this part of the Second Chance Project get paid a small stipend, and for many this is all that they have to support themselves until they get employed or get on W-2. They gain job skills, so they can go out into the community and seek employment.
How can people donate to the store, and what other donations other than clothing are you looking for?
BPM: People may donate by calling Nia Imani at 414-933-1633. For more information, they can also check out our website, www.niaimanifamily.org. We also have a wish list of the many other items besides clothing that are needed.
Now I turned my attention to her dapper husband Corthal McGee, store manager and all around great guy.
As manager of Dress for Less and a former hairdresser, what defines great style to you?
Corthal McGee: I’ve enjoyed style and fashion since about Jr. High School. In fact, I got my first job so that I could buy my own clothes because my mother wouldn’t buy me the things that I wanted. Great style to me is when an individual dares to wear whatever looks good on them! To me, it’s not what you wear but how you wear it.
Mr. McGee, what are your personal style secrets and the items you can’t live without in your own wardrobe? 
CM: I really enjoy gear that is different. That’s why most of my stuff is vintage and resale. Personally, I enjoy wearing a mix of vintage with more trendy pieces, which create a sort of funky, off-centered look for me. For a guy, I really enjoy lots of color. The fashion accessory I can’t live without is my Yorkie, Poncho!
So can a clothing store help change lives and create a stronger community in the process? The answer from this writer is an affirmative yes! Many graduates of Nia Imani Family go on to successful and stable lives, providing good homes and care for themselves and their children. Dress for Less is open 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, and from 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
