Vintage retailer Junction adds T-shirts to Teecycle
Tuesday, July 6, 2010 at 2:48PM Teecycle is super excited to have our first vintage store partner adding their shirts to the site. Get to know Shanna Fales, the owner of Junction.
Tell us a little about yourself.
Hello Teecycle fans! My name is Shannan Fales and I live in Washington DC with my boyfriend Chandler. I'm originally from a small town in Massachusetts and moved here after graduating college in 1996. As a kid I would go "yard sale-ing" with my mom every Saturday. So I guess you could say I starting honing my deal-hunting skills at young age.
What do you like most about used and vintage clothing?
What I love most about used clothes is the deal. I get a rush when I find something that still has its original $80.00 price tag on it and I'm only paying $3.00 for it. When it comes to vintage clothing, I still love the deal aspect of it, but what really excites me is the history of the piece. I wonder who wore it, what they did, where the piece has been.
How long have you been involved in the resale boutique business?
I opened Junction in September of 2003 with 3 other woman who responded to an ad I placed in a local indy newspaper. Not wanting to take on all the financial risks involved with starting a business alone, I placed an ad looking for like-minded people who wanted to share a space, rent and start-up costs. By 2005, the other 3 owners had moved on and I became the sole owner.
How did you come up with the name Junction?
The original owners and I came up with the name Junction because the four of us were coming together, each offering something different to the store: photography, vintage, self designed and contemporary resale items. After they left, I wanted to keep the original name so I decided to redefine Junction as a place where old meets new.
What qualities do you look for when you're shopping for t-shirts?
The first thing I look for is the fabric. There are so many t-shirts out there that are stiff and uncomfortable. I personally like a worn t-shirt on the thinner side and usually find that in a 50/50 cotton poly blend. Next check out the graphic to make sure its cool (for lack of a better word) and fun. And finally the condition and shape. No tears, stains, odd stitching, etc.
Do you have an all-time favorite t-shirt find - and did you end up keeping that shirt?
I always keep a "find." The problem is I don't have enough closet space for all my gems! As far as t-shirts I have two all time favorites. The first one is an 80's white kids T with all the Sesame Street characters on the front wearing roller skates and Burt holding a flag that says Sesame Street Live! It's thin, worn to death and fits perfect. The other one is gray (once black but lost its color over the years) and has a huge hawk and mountain outlines on the front in silver, probably dating from the late 70's to early 80's.
Can you divulge where you like to score your shirts?
Well, I'd tell you but then I'd have to kill you. So best not :)
Tell me about your shop in DC.
My shop is a complete representation of me. Everything in there is something I've chosen myself, hand thrifted by me. I don't buy in bulk, I don't buy from customers, and I don't consign. And although I keep my clientel in mind when I shop, if its something I don't like, I'll pass by it. So its funny when a customers asks if I like something, I say "Yes! If its here, I love it." I think that's my favorite thing about Junction, being able to express myself in an unconventional way.
Anything else to add that the Teecycle community should know about you?
One thing about me is I'm not shy about telling my friends or people I meet about a deal. I'm an avid coupon clipper and deal hunter in both my business and personal life. You'll almost always find me in head to toe thrifted items (except for a few obvious essentails). And if someone comments on something I'm wearing, I love telling them what a deal it was and how little I paid for it.
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