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New thrift store for vintage finds opens in Rochester

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4 days ago

October 18, 2024

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New thrift store for vintage finds opens in Rochester

A new thrift store is open in the Neighborhood of the Arts.

Growing up in Rochester, Nick Schroeder frequently visited secondhand stores with his parents. As he got older, he began working in retail at Marshall’s and often noticed how much people would pay for their clothes.

Schroeder has been selling clothes on Poshmark since 2018, steadily growing his inventory each year. Now, with a substantial collection of products, he’s celebrating the grand opening of his new storefront, Ware to Wear.

Located at 777 Culver Road, the store features a variety of vintage pieces from the ’60s into the new millennium, including premium contemporary brands.

A 2023 study by EmpireStakes.com revealed Rochester as one of the best cities in New York for thrift shoppers and vintage clothing enthusiasts.

In this interview, Nick Schroeder, founder of Ware to Wear, discusses his journey as a new store owner. His responses have been lightly edited for clarity and length.

Is there a secret to finding good stuff at secondhand stores?

“The biggest one is going often and going to a lot of different places. My personal favorite store around here is the Goodwill in Victor. They’re one of the biggest stores around here, and they tend to have a lot of good stuff. If you’re looking for volume, check out the Goodwill bins in Henrietta.”

What is your favorite part about owning a storefront and being able to curate it?

“It’s become kind of a family effort at this point. It has brought a lot of people together to help me make it real. Being able to showcase the cool things I find speaks about me through the clothes I choose.”

Why should people buy more sustainable fashion?

“At this point, there are enough clothes in the world to dress everybody 15 times over, and yet tons of new items are being made every year that will end up in a landfill. The more we buy secondhand, the less they’ll have to make new things. There won’t be as much pollution. On top of that, a lot of vintage stuff has much better quality.”

More: Rochester ranks among top NY cities for thrift shopping

Genae Shields is the business and development impact reporter. As a member of the local community, Genae enjoys learning about newly emerging businesses and changes that impact Rochester’s BIPOC and LGBTQ neighborhoods. She also enjoys supporting local artists and nonprofit organizations. Contact Genae at gshields@gannett.com.