How Has The Pandemic Impacted Vintage And Second-Hand Business Owners?
Wearing pre-loved clothing is sustainable and often budget friendly, but many avid vintage-wearers are currently wondering if their second-hand shopping habits should come to a hiatus until Coronavirus is at bay. Not wanting to choose between circular fashion and safety, PhotoBook weighs in with some of New York City’s favorite vintage shopping spots to get our questions answered. How has the pandemic impacted vintage and second-hand business owners? What precautions do they take to reduce the possibility of virus transmission when buying and selling pre-worn clothing? Keep reading to find out.
Tearsheet & Article By Adele Cardani.
Boutique: Le Grand Strip
Instagram: @legrandstrip
Website: https://www.legrandstrip.com
1. First, can you tell me a little about Le Grand Strip?
Le Grand Strip is a glamourous ladies vintage boutique, established in Williamsburg Brooklyn, for 15 years ago.
2. Business is reportedly booming for online vintage sellers, but many worry about their favorite brick and mortar stores. Are you seeing an increase or decrease in shopping since the pandemic? Overall, how has the pandemic impacted your business?
The pandemic has certainly affected the business; we only see a quarter of the clientele who would normally come in.
3. As healthcare professionals are not certain how long Covid-19 survives on surfaces, many are worried about whether it is safe to shop second hand during the pandemic. What measures have your business put in place to reduce the possibility of any potential transmission of the virus through pre-worn clothing?
In term of garment sanitizing, all of our products are steamed, cleaned or dry-cleaned; clients sanitize their hands before they try-on; we believe clothing carries almost a zero transmission, and, for that matter, new or vintage garments will be handled by individuals in any environment, so vintage shouldn't be targeted as "more dangerous."
4. Some stores are sanitizing items each time they are tried on, but others aren’t allowing customers to try on items at all. What are your policies regarding trying on clothes at this time?
We allow our customers to try-on; items are steamed afterward.
5. Do you sanitize the items you receive? And if so, how do you sanitize garments without damaging them?
Sanitizing in our trade means washing, dry-cleaning, and-or steaming; sometimes items might get damaged, even before the pandemic.
6. For those trying to sell their clothes to your store, are there any items you are not accepting right now?
We do not do consignment.
7. Lastly, besides wearing masks/social distancing, are there any more measures you feel shoppers should take in order to safely buy or sell pre-worn fashion at this time?
Clients should do as they see fit with their purchases; in case they feel unsure, I would suggest hanging your new purchase by your window for a day or two.
The sun is the ultimate sanitizing element.
Boutique: Buffalo Exchange
Instagram: @buffaloexchange
Website: https://www.buffaloexchange.com
1. Business is reportedly booming for online vintage sellers, but many worry about their favorite brick and mortar stores. Are you seeing an increase or decrease in shopping since the pandemic? Overall, how has the pandemic impacted your business?
Though it’s been a slow start since we first began to reopen select Buffalo Exchange locations, we’re starting to get back into the swing of things and seeing an increase in the number of shoppers and sellers. There's no doubt that the pandemic has presented a lot of challenges for our primarily brick and mortar business, but on the upside, it's pushed us to innovate in really great ways, such as creating our convenient new drop-off selling method that’s practically contact-free.
2. As healthcare professionals are not certain how long Covid-19 survives on surfaces, many are worried about whether it is safe to shop second hand during the pandemic. What measures have your business put in place to reduce the possibility of any potential transmission of the virus through pre-worn clothing?
Our safety practices start at the door: masks are mandatory for customers and employees, and we limit the number of shoppers allowed inside at one time. Once inside, social distancing is enforced by posted signs and employees. Currently, all selling is by drop-off appointment only, so we’re able to limit the number of customers that are waiting to sell and the amount of time they’re in the store. We also leave clothing to sit untouched overnight before our Buyers go through them, and all payouts are contactless: customers can choose between a PayPal payment or a Digital Trade Card that never expires and can be used at any Buffalo Exchange location. We don’t allow try-ons for clothing as our dressing rooms are temporarily closed, and any items (like shoes) that are tried are put aside so that our employees can sanitize them before they’re put back onto the sales floor. Since our dressing rooms are closed, our exchange policy is temporarily extended to 10 days (still need to have the tags and receipt for in-store credit) and any returned items sit overnight before being placed back out on the sales floor. When shoppers are ready to check-out with their finds, they’ll find sneeze-guards, ample hand sanitizer and contactless payment options like Apple Pay or Google Pay (cash and card still accepted, with disposable cotton swabs for pin-pad use).
3. While some stores are sanitizing items each time they are tried on, others aren’t allowing customers to try on items at all. What are your policies regarding trying on clothes at this time?
At this time, our dressing rooms are closed, however, we allow shoe and accessory try-ons. Any shoes and accessories that customers decide not to take home are placed in separate baskets away from clean merchandise so that we can properly sanitize them before they’re placed back out onto the sales floor. For customers who buy a piece of clothing that doesn’t quite work out when they get home, we’ve extended our store return policy to 10 days.
4. Do you sanitize the items you receive? And if so, how do you sanitize garments without damaging them?
We ask sellers to let their closet cleanouts sit, untouched, for 24 hours before bringing them in and then allow them to sit overnight before placing them out on the sales floor.
5. For those trying to sell their clothes to your stores, are there any items you are not accepting right now?
Though our process is a little different than usual, we’re still buying the same items we always do, namely current trends, everyday styles, vintage, designer, one-of-a-kind finds, and more. As we move into fall, we’re particularly on the lookout for cool-temp pieces like long-sleeved blouses and shorts, denim pants, light sweaters, and jackets. However, we buy great styles for any season year-round.
6. Have you had customers expressing concerns regarding safety when considering making purchases at this time?
Everyone’s comfort level is different in regard to returning to in-store shopping, but our customers have been understanding and appreciative. We’ve received an overwhelmingly positive reaction, so many of these updates - like our new drop-off selling appointments - will definitely stick around post-pandemic.
7. Lastly, besides wearing masks/social distancing, are there any more measures you feel shoppers should take in order to safely buy or sell pre-worn fashion at this time?
As with any other public venue, we ask that customers stay home if they’re feeling sick. When you’re in the store, please follow the guidelines and protocols we have in place. For anyone who would rather stay close to home for now, we also have a Sell By Mail program. With Sell By Mail, it’s easy to sell your closet cleanout from home: simply request a prepaid shipping bag online, send it In, and get paid via PayPal or a Digital Store Trade card.
Article by Adele Cardani, Contributor, PhotoBook Magazine
Style With A Cause highlights designers who support a cause such as sustainability, charities, and fair trade.
