Two Saluda Avenue shops bring brand names to college students on a budget
College students love nothing more than a great bargain. Thrifting not only allows shoppers to buy items for less, but it also provides an opportunity to find unique products that can’t be found in shopping malls or chain stores. Add an edge to your wardrobe, punch up your style and save some major bucks while doing so. Here’s a look at two hot thrift/consignment stores located in Five Points.
Sid Nancy
Sid Nancy is one of the most popular clothing shops near campus.
The store, located on Saluda Avenue in Five Points, was voted Columbia’s Best Alternative Clothing Store and Best Local Clothing Store by readers of the Free Times in 2011. Sid Nancy sells new accessories and jewelry and some locally printed clothing (including “Columbi-YEAH!” and “Scene SC” T-shirts), but the store’s main market is selling gently used men’s and women’s clothing.
Customers can sell or trade clothing every day of the week, which means new items are available in the store on any given day. The store accepts brands and styles found at shops like Gap, Old Navy, Hot Topic, Forever 21 and HM. Items from “big box discount stores” like Walmart and Target are not accepted.
Racheal Hekking was a frequent Sid Nancy customer before taking a job at the store last month, but the employee finds herself shopping at the store more now than ever.
“You shop a lot more when you work here because you see things come in and out,” Hekking said.
Mary Swift also works at Sid Nancy. Swift just moved to Columbia and said she has met a lot of people by working at Sid Nancy.
Hekking and Swift encourage students to bring in items to sell and noted that they are especially in need of men’s clothing.
“If you have stuff, bring it in,” Hekking said.
Swift said that choosing what items to buy from customers depends on more than just the brand.
“It’s all about style,” Swift said. “We are looking for items that are bold, bright and unique.”
Not all items in the store are wearable.
“We also have a lot of fun stuff that isn’t clothing,” Hekking said. “We like to promote music and anything local.”
In addition to selling clothing and accessories, Sid Nancy carries prints by local company The Half and Half, unique furniture pieces, locally made stationary and knickknacks like novelty coin banks and magnets. The store also operates a free book exchange.
If a customer brings in a book, he or she can take a book from the store’s shelf at no charge.
For more information about buying, selling or trading items at Sid Nancy, visit the store’s website at www.shopsidnancy.com.
Revente
Revente is the sister store of Sid Nancy (both stores are owned by the same person ) and is located on the same street in Five Points, catering to a more polished and pricey look. While Sid Nancy’s clothing generally falls under the punk rock category, Revente carries more upscale labels which come with higher price tags. The store’s rotating inventory often includes brands ranging from Nanette Lapore and Tibi to Ann Taylor and J. Crew.
Revente employee Kiber Selig has been working at the store for “a little over a month.” Selig actually applied for an assistant manager position at Sid Nancy, but ended up working at Revente instead.
Like Hekking, Selig had shopped at her workplace before taking the job, but seeing new items come in and out every day inspires her to shop more often.
“I shopped here a few times before working here, but now that I get to see everything, I want everything,” Selig said.
Revente is a consignment shop, and selling is by appointment for 25 or more pieces. Customers selling less than 25 pieces can drop off their items between 10 a.m. and noon and 2 and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, and before noon on Saturdays. According to the store’s website, lunchtime and Saturday afternoons are the busiest times for selling.
Revente is currently accepting early fall items. Western boots, designer handbags, David Yurman jewelry and cocktail and evening wear are on the store’s most-wanted list.
For more information about buying or selling at Revente, visit the store’s website at www.shoprevente.com.
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