Thrift 251
In the summer of 2018, I started Thrift 251. It is a secondhand clothing store, started out of my townhouse at John Brown University. The idea is to make selling clothes easier for college students while also providing another platform for purchasing inexpensive clothing. Here a little backstory into why I’m doing it and what it will looks like.
For an update on the 2019-2020 changes, read here.
ORIGIN
I’ve always been interested in fashion. In fact, fashion is what got me into the arts. My earliest drawings were of dresses I imagined. Had you asked 12 year-old Brooke what she was gonna do with her life, she would have said design and sell clothes. Owning a clothing boutique was my first dream job. Fashion was my gateway into creating and the arts. Thus, it’s always been a passion for me. I see clothing as an expression and an extension of the art that I create and the image I create of myself.
With this love of fashion, I’ve always floated around ideas of how I can incorporate it into any future business endeavors— even if those endeavors were just secondary to my true passion for the fine arts. But I always pushed that aside because no great ideas came along, and it never seemed worth it if my primary art suffered. Until now!
Thrift 251 came about from a summer of frustration about getting rid of old clothes. I was considering the inconvenience that selling clothing was. So many of us have clothes we want to get rid of but we don’t want to just give it away. But selling them is hard work by yourself and a hassle to coordinate. And selling them to a consignment shop is frustrating because the shops often only take a small amount of what you have but a large percentage of the sale. Social media has made it easier to sell clothes yourself, but it’s hard to buy clothes you haven’t tried on and can’t return. So what is the solution to all of those problems? Thrift 251 (named from the townhouse it's located at)!
Thrift 251 will take your clothing off your hands and sell it for you. You don’t have to do any of the work but you’ll get half the profit. Thrift 251 will allow JBU students to shop inexpensively and try on the clothing without commitment. The owner of the clothing will get paid after it's sold. If the clothing doesn’t sell, it can be returned to the owner or donated. You literally can’t lose.
PROCESS
Step 1: Sort through those good ole clothes of yours. Pursue that minimalistic life you’ve always wanted.
Step 2: Schedule a time for a clothing drop-off or pick-up on our website here.
Step 3: Hand your clothes over at appointed time.
Step 4: Relax cause you're part is done! I’ll take your clothes, price them, and house them in my little shop space.
Step 5: I will style and photograph the clothing. Due to volume, every article of clothing may not make it to Instagram, but I will advertise a majority of clothing in a way that makes them look their best for the pics.
Step 6: Check out the Instagram @thrift.251 If you like what you see, come by and try stuff on! Please reach out to me about when you want to come by to make sure I'm around! No stress. I’d love to welcome you to my home so you can browse! You can also shop on our website.
Step 7: Buy your fav new sustainable finds! I love styling, so feel free to ask questions and for ideas on how to dress your best!
Step 8: At the end of each month, I’ll send the clothing owners the money from their items that sold within the month. I’ll reach out to make sure you received the money via the method you specify with me at drop-off (cashapp, venmo, or cash). You’ll make 40% of the profit.
Step 9: This repeats until end of semester.
Step 10: You’ll hear from me to confirm whether you want your unsold clothing back. If not, I’ll responsibly dispose of excess inventory.
FUTURE & INVOLVEMENT
I’m really excited to be able to bring this to the JBU community. We all know that we JBU students love to thrift. Not only will it be easier to thrift, but it’ll be way easier to sell and make some extra cash with clothes that would otherwise just be lonely in your closet. I have no idea how this will go, in all honesty. I hope that it is well-received and a helpful service. I am excited and anxious to see where it goes! I can’t wait for you guys to drop by.
You may also be wondering what kind of clothing I’m accepting. My answer is any and all of it— both men’s and women’s. Here’s a list to get you started:
shirts
pants
skirts
dresses
shorts
shoes
bags
jewelry
other accessories such as sunglasses, scarves, hats, etc…
As part of the advertising process, I hope to photograph some of the clothing on models. I’d love to have your help in this. If you’re interested in modeling and receiving some perks at Thrift 251, don't hesitate to reach out. Consider this a modeling call! Let’s hang out. I’ll style your beautiful self and you’ll rock the clothes! It’ll be a fun time. Can’t wait to work with you!