Picture this: you walk by a storefront with mannequins donning stylish skirts, tops, and accessories, creating a masterpiece of an outfit. Walking inside feels like walking into a curated clothing heaven with items ranging from belts, flared jeans, summer hats, and new-with-the-tags-on bathing suits. You walk over to a rack filled with enticing options and dive into sorting, pushing one item of clothing to the side to analyze another – that is when you realize that none of the brand tags match. In fact, none of the clothing in the store is from the same place – or even the same time.
An intrinsic part of being in a thrift store, second-hand store, or consignment shop is feeling overwhelmed with choices. Thrifting was an activity separated by class, but in the past few years, it has been adopted by people from all economic backgrounds, becoming a reliable method for people looking to acquire some stylish duds. Rhode Island has quite a few locations to thrift at, some more curated than others. I chatted with a few local second-hand shop owners to hear their thoughts on the thrifting phenomenon and to get the scoop on what inspired their choice to own a second-hand store. In a charming building located on North Broadway in Rumford, I step into Jackie on Broadway. The average customer is immediately greeted with the sounds of French music filling the room, transporting the customer far away from our small state. Owner Jaclyn (Jackie) Trudel welcomes you with a warm yet casual hello – parting her red lipstick to showcase a friendly smile.
The shop opened in 2022 after Jackie left a career at the Rhode Island School of Design to open a store focusing on sustainability. Many people don’t think about the effect the production of clothes has on our environment. New clothing is responsible for over 10% of global carbon emissions, with many pieces ending up in landfills or being burned. This cycle releases a high level of greenhouse gasses, and due to the high demand for new clothes, is a major contributor to the amount of excess carbon in our atmosphere. “I opened Jackie on Broadway because I truly believed it was important to keep recycling our clothing. When we buy second-hand, we are reducing the amount of clothing being sent to landfills, reducing the amount of chemical processing that companies use to manufacture clothing, and reducing water usage,” says Trudel.
The shop is carefully curated by Trudel. She also weeds through what clients bring for consignment. The process is by appointment only. There are only ten items chosen per consigner per appointment. Pricing is competitive and depends on the brand. Items stay on the shop floor for 20 days before their prices are reduced. After another 20 days, the price is reduced by more than half the original asking price. After 60 days, the item is donated to a larger thrift store like Savers. Consignors receive a 40% commission on the total profit. Trudel, only taking 10 items max at a time, shows how diligent second-hand shop owners are. There is a common misconception that shopping second-hand is gross, something that Trudel’s process proves isn’t true. She says, “Consignment stores have strict requirements that clothing be gently used, cleaned, stain-free, and pressed. We want to make sure we are providing excellent quality items.” Keeping this mindset has paid off for Trudel, who in 2023 won the RI Monthly Best of RI Editors Pick Award for consignment shop after being open just a little over a year. Trudel’s store has a loyal clientele base. “One of the benefits of opening the shop is seeing the love and fun people have for consignment shops. Most shoppers love the thrill of the hunt to find a unique piece they may not be able to find elsewhere,” remarks Trudel. Trudel advises the beginner thrifter to go slow and understand you may leave empty-handed. She also stresses it’s important to remember that there is so much clothing out there. While Trudel loves what she does, her desire to become a Reiki master has overpowered her need to stay at the shop. Jackie on Broadway will be switching owners in September. Trudel promises the store will continue prioritizing quality clothing and will remain a part of the Rumford community.
When you walk into Top Shelf Vintage Co., it’s hard not to feel like you’ve stumbled into a time machine and traveled back to the ‘90s. The walls are filled with Simpsons paraphernalia and other vintage decor. The whole shop screams Maximalist. You’re almost positive an old Nickelodeon show was filmed here back in the day. You’ll likely find owner Annie Schisler, behind the counter in a trucker hat or beanie, ready to welcome you into her vintage goods heaven. Top Shelf Vintage Co. resides in the heart of Downtown Pawtucket on Exchange St. The shop opened in 2019 after years of Schisler being a thrifter and doing popups. While a brick and mortar was always the goal, the timing never felt right. Schisler decided to take the plunge after waiting for the perfect time and location. “It took a decade-plus of hard work before opening, but it was worth it,” says Schisler. What’s almost more important than the offerings in the shop is the decor that fills the space. The shop’s windows are known to be full of colorful shapes and pop art signage, with one window display including an alt version of the pink panther smoking a joint. The shop is decently sized without losing its cozy element. Racks on racks of graphic T’s, old-school Chuck Taylors, and a whole section of vintage denim, among other things, line the perimeter. An Olympic Youth tapestry, a McDonald’s banner from another decade, and a vintage Guess sign are just a few of the items you’ll see covering the walls. It’s all the funky design choices. It’s the Puma sneaker that’s the size of a small car in the center of the store.
It all makes customers feel like they are in a playground when they come to Top Shelf Vintage Co. Schisler was deliberate in her business model, “I have always been a ’90s baby my whole life and leaned into that aesthetic… it’s still fun to walk down memory lane and see things from your childhood.” Schisler spends hours every week hunting down the pieces she sells. The process isn’t easy, and neither are the hours. Sometimes she’s up early to get a good spot at an estate sale. The life of a second-hand shop owner is full of odd experiences, like searching dark and dim basements for goodies and doing loads of laundry to make sure the pieces are properly cleaned for their new homes…yes, the clothing is properly cleaned. Although, in situations where the clothing isn’t cleaned before it’s sold, it shouldn’t deter you from shopping there. Schisler says, “Grow up and wash it with vinegar and a little bit of detergent in the laundry and it’s fine.” To not participate in thrifting due to fear the clothing is dirty, gross, or too old means you’re missing out on some incredible opportunities to find unique pieces.
Style aside, the environment needs a break from clothing overproduction. Taking small baby steps, like buying just one or two items from a second-hand shop, is a valuable contribution. If not for the environment, then perhaps for your wallet. A cheaper price tag means being able to purchase more and will help you figure out your style, which is a huge reason to thrift. Schisler agrees, “I think second-hand shopping is important because you can get quality pieces to mix into your existing wardrobe for a decent price and you don’t look like a cookie cutter version of everybody else. You can express who you are and how you feel that day through the clothes you wear.” Both these women-owned second-hand stores are part of the rebellion against fast fashion and big-box clothing stores.
While offering completely different items and vibes, Jackie on Broadway and Top Shelf Vintage Co. are both paving the way for sustainable fashion, and women in the industry. Trundle finds this role empowering, but Schisler gets annoyed with the public response, “Nobody takes you seriously and everybody thinks that you’re just a dumb girl.” Well, I guess if you’re going to be a “dumb girl,” at least you look great doing it. •
With over 35k followers on Top Shelf Vintage Co.’s Instagram, the idea of anyone treating Schisler as just some dumb girl is beyond unfortunate- for them. To shop Top Shelf Vintage Co. visit their storefront at 35 Exchange Street in Pawtucket, go to their website Topshelfvintageco. com, or visit their Instagram page, @topshelfvintageco. To shop Jackie on Broadway visit 324 North Broadway in East Providence or check out their Instagram @ jackieonbroadwayconsignment. Happy thrifting.
