I’ve been stalking the store all of last week, and now I am pleased to report that Rethreads boutique has opened a new location at 2671 S. Kinnickinnic Ave. Store Manager Holly Schaefer was kind enough to give me a sneak peak of the store as they were setting up last week.
Rethreads opened in Riverwest three years ago as a “recycled and used clothing exchange.” The Bay View store is its second Milwaukee location, in the former space of Fashion Ninja at the corner of Lenox and KK. Though the space is only about half the size of the Riverwest store, this is a much-needed boost to KK’s retail and fashion scene. (No more salons, please!)
The store is stocked with all new inventory and vintage items from estate sales. The new store carries a 50/50 mix of vintage and contemporary clothing from stores like Urban Outfitters, Anthropologie and JCrew. Everything they buy is in excellent condition and I’ve even scored a few items with tags on.
There is no appointment necessary to sell. If they chose to buy your items, they will offer you 30 percent of their projected re-sale value in cash or 50 percent in store credit – it’s that simple. This is one of the only boutiques of its kind in Milwaukee. While there are several resale and consignment shops (Lela, East Town Women’s Shop, Annie’s 2nd Hand Chic, Elite Repeat), few offer cash on the spot like Rethreads.
The decision to expand was purely based on demand and the success of the Riverwest store. I asked Schaefer why she thinks this type of store model has fared so well. “With the shaky economy people appreciate the chance to get rid of some clothes they maybe don’t wear any more and get some new ones without having to spend a lot of money,” she says. “It’s also great for people with eclectic style; we carry a wide variety of fashions.”
At times, I’ve been disappointed by the amount of money I earned for my selling my clothes, but on the flip side, it’s always nice as a shopper finding tees from $5-7 and sweaters from $15-20. If you are selling, your best deal is to swap. Store credits never expire.
Like the Riverwest store, Rethreads Bay View will also carry new accessories and merchandise from local designers. For more information, including store hours, click here.
