Retail Roundup: Downtown vintage,coffee shop closes to sell online
In this week’s Retail Roundup column, I wrote about Freckles RetroShop closing on Kirk Avenue in downtown Roanoke.
I visited the shop recently to chat with the owner, Stephanie Sowder. She explained it has become increasingly difficult to compete with online shops that can offer lower prices (because they don’t have overhead expenses a brick-and-mortar store has.) Many people are buying vintage-wear online and with the popularity of sites like etsy.com,which boasts millions of users, a quaint shop like Freckles can’t compete, Sowder said.
Although Sowder says she will miss the face-to-face interaction with customers she will move her operations online starting Nov. 1. The store will be selling on frecklesvintage.com and a shop on etsy.com.
What do you think about purchasing vintage items online? Do you think it adds or takes away from your buying experience? Is it more or less convenient?
October 15, 2012 - 8:00 AM
The shopping experience of visiting an ‘undiscovered’ (read – non nationally franchised) clothing store will of course be lost. What will be gained is long term viability for the retailer and a hugely increased potential market of customers.
The key will be to maintain a regional presence while also courting a national customer base. Some stores do that by finding extremely inexpensive ‘brick & mortar’ locations and opening limited hours. Others stay purely online, but advertise digitally throughout their local area, playing on the ‘hometown business’ angle.
I know several retailers that have had to make a similar decision in the last decade. Some have just closed altogether, some have joined the internet retail mindset. I think we all need to understand the dynamics have changed, and will continue to evolve, just as they have already done.
Think back to the ‘good ole days’ where all the retail shops were downtown near Main Street, USA. Then came the strip centers. Then came the malls. Then came other evolutions, and now the internet.
It’s evolution.
Best wished to Ms Sowder on her new journey.
What about the items that were on consignment at Freckles? Will she be returning them to their owners or paying for them?
Personally, I not only like the “thrill of the hunt” in terms of unexpectedly finding cool stuff instead of just picking out what I want and clicking “Add to Cart”, I also like to see, touch, and smell items before I buy them, especially anything used, and double-especially clothing items (which actually I don’t buy used anyway, so I guess that’s moot).
HAeard a new candle shop coming to Tanglewood. Good to see something new opening there after years of closures. Anyone know more about it and when is five guys set to open??
vintage coffee?? sounds stale.
Hi there! Sowder told me customers may pick up items that haven’t sold or they can allow her to sell them online.
Whats the latest on Tanglewood Shelia? and when will Amanda be back??
Hi Chris, Tanglewood has not yet released information on new leases for the holiday season but I have checked with them. Be on the lookout for an update really soon. My last column runs this Sunday and Amanda is scheduled to return this Monday. Thanks! Sheila
I heard Amanda’s not coming back because she’s sick and tired of answering questions about the Ivy Market.
Sheila you did a GREAT job filling in. Thanks so much for keeping us up to date!!!!