Anyone with experience opening a small clothing store or Botique?

Stuntone

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My potential partner already has a successful business in the city. We're in a small city in Louisiana, looking a building isn't really a problem, he knows a lot of the people at city hall so all the zoning and other things shouldn't be a problems. I'm pretty stylish, he's counting on me to secure the merchandise. Not looking to do it real big, just want to sell stylish but not very expensive clothing. Levi's, Sweats, Jordan Craig, graphic tees, Yoga pants and dresses. We don't really have any good clothing store here. I was wondering mostly about licensing to merchandise. I plan on getting things in bulk from various site and free markets in Texas.

Any and all advise would be appreciated.
 

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Already did a pop-up shop in Manhattan.

Doing another one this year....still viewing spaces to do it at and trying to do it in a reasonable time frame. One for spring and fall during NYFW.

I like doing that cause we're not open for a long period of time and it creates a demand that wouldn't of been there if it was open all the time.
 

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Already did a pop-up shop in Manhattan.

Doing another one this year....still viewing spaces to do it at and trying to do it in a reasonable time frame. One for spring and fall during NYFW.

I like doing that cause we're not open for a long period of time and it creates a demand that wouldn't of been there if it was open all the time.



What are you selling and how do you secure the merchandise?

One of the big differences I've seen in the south compared to the east coast is leasing a building is a lot less cheaper and less hassle.
 

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What are you selling and how do you secure the merchandise?

One of the big differences I've seen in the south compared to the east coast is leasing a building is a lot less cheaper and less hassle.
I sell custom made clothing for my own brand. Basically a clothing apparel and accessories line. Trying to straddle the line between high and and low end. It really took alot to visualize but I did it last year.

Basically I design my stuff through custom screeprinting services and source merchandise from different custom gear websites that do screenprinting and embroidery. I also have a resource where I can make custom clothing tags to put in our clothes so it's not just a screenprinted shirt with a Gildan or hanes tag. LOL. It's really not that hard, especially when said places offer bulk discounts.

But yeah, leasing a spot is expensive in New York and even experienced brands are suffering cause the overhead is expensive and if you aren't moving enough merch to cover the costs and still have enough to produce items per season you'll be in trouble.

If you're looking to get an account to sell other people's stuff..then that's a whole different process and you'd have to look into sources for retailers secondhand and get accounts.
 

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I sell custom made clothing for my own brand. Basically a clothing apparel and accessories line. Trying to straddle the line between high and and low end. It really took alot to visualize but I did it last year.

Basically I design my stuff through custom screeprinting services and source merchandise from different custom gear websites that do screenprinting and embroidery. I also have a resource where I can make custom clothing tags to put in our clothes so it's not just a screenprinted shirt with a Gildan or hanes tag. LOL. It's really not that hard, especially when said places offer bulk discounts.

But yeah, leasing a spot is expensive in New York and even experienced brands are suffering cause the overhead is expensive and if you aren't moving enough merch to cover the costs and still have enough to produce items per season you'll be in trouble.

If you're looking to get an account to sell other people's stuff..then that's a whole different process and you'd have to look into sources for retailers secondhand and get accounts.


Link to your apparel or portfolio? I support dope, grassroots shyt like this
 

Stuntone

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Trust me, I'm not just jumping out there with a dream. I plan shyt.

I know the competition is low here, people have to drive an hour to the closest mall.
Leasing a building isn't expensive down here
I've found some wholesale merchandise for the low. Would love to get Jordan Craig and Levi accounts, I know they will sale.
But on the sites I've seen nice little jeans and leggings, cardigans for women. Tee's, hoodies, boxers, socks and jeans for the guys. All for the low. I plan to drive to Houston's flea markets and find a connect

I feel like once we get started, more doors will open. I could do custom shirts for like family reunions and maybe come up with my on brand. I plan to have watches and earrings, belts, tire shine, whatever people buying.
 

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I owned a boutique for 6 yrs with my sister. Made us both realize how much we hate fashion and the people who love it. Our merch came from buyers through online wholesalers but our big sellers were one of a kind pieces from featured artist that we switched up constantly. People pretty much came thru to see who was being featured at the time. We had a lot of the same shyt in Patricia Fields and a few lines on Karma Loop.

We got a buzz going after being featured in local mags in various cities (the best way to get good free PR) and when Steven Shein signed on as a featured artist.

We hated every moment of it.
 

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I owned a boutique for 6 yrs with my sister. Made us both realize how much we hate fashion and the people who love it. Our merch came from buyers through online wholesalers but our big sellers were one of a kind pieces from featured artist that we switched up constantly. People pretty much came thru to see who was being featured at the time. We had a lot of the same in Patricia Fields and a few lines on Loop.

We got a buzz going after being featured in local mags in various cities (the best way to get good free PR) and when Steven Shein signed on as a featured artist.

We hated every moment of it.
I appreciate you sharing with us! Thank you!
 

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one of my close friends had a clothing store for about ten years....

he mostly had accounts with wholesalers from new york.... he was always in the garment district and he done a lot of business at the Magic conference in Vegas....

he failed to adapt and the internet killed his business
 
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