Editorial
Front Page - Monday, November 23, 2009
Local Flavor
One-of-a kind finds at Stifft Thrift
Rebecca Brockman
When it comes to retail therapy, there are numerous places around the capital city that can treat and heal the shopper. Big box stores, shopping plazas and boutiques are accessible and usually do the trick. But, when it comes to finding something really unique and reasonable, the list of stores dwindles. Until now. Holly Hall, Little Rock native and Hillcrest resident recently opened Stifft Thrift — a vintage, retro and modern clothing store. Located next to the Oyster Bar on W. Markham, the store sells clothes and accessories from the 1920s through the 90s and every decade in between.
On a recent Monday afternoon, I dropped by Holly’s new venture and was met by the friendly shop owner surrounded by a heap of clothes. “This pile was taller than me when I started,” Holly said with a laugh. People drop items off and Holly sorts through them, decides what she wants to keep and donates the rest. Opening a store has been on Holly’s radar for the past three years.
“I started collecting things, but when I got it all in here, it was a lot less than I thought. But when people find out you are doing this, they bring it to you,” said Holly. “It just comes in the door!”
While we chatted, she was inspecting a 1940s St. Louis Hotel bellhop jacket that had just been dropped off. “Someone will really love this,” she said as she held up the red and gold garment. During her short time in business, she has quickly learned to expect the unexpected to fly off the shelves. “Sometimes you get something that is so ugly and you put a price on it anyway and someone buys it. It’s really interesting to watch people shop, especially since I never did retail before,” Holly said. Before she opened Stifft Thrift, Holly was a bar tender. Most recently she worked at the Courtyard Marriott downtown. Her easy-going demeanor and ability to talk to anyone carries over nicely to her new career choice.
The fact that she also went to art school in Baltimore completes the package. While in Baltimore, Holly said she visited several stores similar to the one she now owns. “I’m trying to bring what a big city thrift and vintage store looks like to Little Rock,” she said. After browsing around her store, I believe she’s accomplished her goal. When asked what is the most bizarre item she’s seen so far in the shop, she smiled and said, “A shipment of vintage riding pants, complete with sewn-in leather chaps.” She said the pants had a protruding wire feature and were really tight and straight-legged. Although the pants sounded bizarre, Holly said she recently sold all of them. “You get people in that just want the craziest things,” she said.
Returning to the bellhop jacket, she said, “Everything is so streamlined these days, it’s sewn together quickly and lasts two months and the buttons might fall off. But this stuff, same buttons sewn on here, they’ll last forever.”
If Holly sees potential in a piece of clothes she receives, she will take the time to reconstruct it. She also will sew on missing buttons or fix a loose hem. A bright blue skirt with gold buttons in her store was originally an “ugly ‘80s dress.” Holly takes the time to reconstruct because it makes the finished piece unique and original. “In here, I feel like everything is a treasure,” she said.
At the moment, she’s helping one her friends design an original wedding dress from wedding dresses in her store. So far, they are using parts of dresses from the 40s, 50s and 80s. No doubt, the bride will be the only one walking down the aisle in such a creative, couture dress.
Between sewing, selling and going through inventory, Holly is enjoying the retail business. “It’s a really fun experience, because there are some interesting things in here. It’s a good time,” she said. “You don’t have to spend hours digging around like you do at other thrift stores or other big mega places. I have real vintage, real retro and I keep the prices down.”
Perusing the store, I noticed a beautiful, brown faux fur coat with a $30 price tag attached to it. Across the room, a western white sweater had a $4 price tag. Racks with purses were priced $3 to $7. Holly is true to her word – her prices are very reasonable.
Stifft Thrift also sells shoes, hats, scarves, men’s clothes and a variety of other fun accessories. I couldn’t help but notice a men’s suit jacket for $7. Holly welcomes consigned items – simply drop off at 3009 W. Markham. People who consign receive 50 percent of the sale price.
I’m already planning my next visit to Stifft Thrift! The store is opened Sunday from 1 to 5 p.m., Monday 12 to 6 p.m. and every other day of the week from noon to past 7 p.m. Call Holly at 501-416-2677 for more information.
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