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It seems like Richmond is named "up and coming" this or "on the rise" that every few months for one outlet or another. But locals have always known it as a place where a person can find good eats and cheap thrills (looking at you James River) without having to look too hard. So too with shopping, especially within the last few of years. Thanks to several boutiques quietly opening up around the city, Richmond's retail junkies have fewer and fewer good reasons to set foot in one of the surrounding malls.
Even better news? Roadtripping down from D.C. to Richmond for holiday shopping has suddenly become so, so worth the gas money. Take a look below at a mix of River City classics and new spots for making the most out of your next trip.—Racked National associate editor Kenzie Bryant
Newly opened on Grove, Nellie George offers conservative goods for women and kids, so it’s a good stop if you want to knock out shopping for two. It’s pricey, but think bright colors, brighter patterns.
The best place to create a party on the neck, Peter Blair ties and bow-ties are not for wallflowers. Look for the big colors and cute references across the city and soon on Fox News.
A rainbow building between to I-95 and the Diamond houses this absurdly large thrift store. It’s almost definitely out of your way, but contains everything under the sun: Men’s and women’s and children’s clothing, anything for the home from furniture to paper weights, CDs, DVDs, various and sundry appliances, etc. Worth a stop if you’re ready to dig, it’s Saturday or Sunday when they have 25 cent specials, and/or you also want to check the majestic baseball diamond off your sightseeing list.
This is great stop if you’re shopping for an event, whether its a dinner, wedding, or holiday party. The pieces are fun and upscale with picks by brands like Elizabeth and James, Velvet, Milly and Tibi.
Just celebrating its 30th anniversary, Halcyon is one of the city’s most well-stocked vintage shops for men and women. Clothing and accessories are primarily from the ‘40s through the ‘70s, and if you’re into fur, here’s where you’ll find it.
Roan is the best place to go if you missed your shopping trip to New York this year. It carries straight-off-the-runway digs by designers like 3.1 Phillip Lim, Alexander Wang, Derek Lam, Proenza Schouler, Isabel Marant and more. Be prepared to drop the big bucks, of course, but also to look out for a deal. The sale section can be very rewarding.
One of the better consignment shops in the city, Clementine makes good use of West End women’s well-treated cast-offs. Brands that regularly cycle through include Vince, Marc by Marc Jacobs, Tibi, Rebecca Taylor, Tory Burch, J.Crew, Milly, and DVF.
Need Supply’s webstore is so solid that many out-of-towners don’t realize it has a brick and mortar location as well. But the longtime Cary Street staple is Richmond’s outpost for really exciting moves happening in men’s and women’s fashion, and it’s definitely a go-to for male denimheads and accessory nerds. For women there are A.P.C. coats, Dusen Dusen dresses, Collina Strada accessories, and all the Jeffrey Campbell shoes ever made, basically.
For older vintage goods, stop by Bygones. Should you be in the need of a period-themed Halloween costume that you can wear again, a fur stole, fedoras, flint lighters, or a dress made between the years of 1920 and 1970, this is the spot. Items are pricier, but it gets extra bonus points for being next door to the $2 Byrd Theater.
Trinkets, baubles, tiny toy Jesuses. This emporium of mirth describes itself as “a place where Dr. Seuss meets Pee Wee’s Playhouse.” It will be the best and possibly weirdest browsing experience of your life, guaranteed.
Rumors is big with VCU students likely because it’s posted up downtown right next to the school. They carry affordable vintage, a lot of consignment (plenty of under-$70 snags). For ‘80s or ‘90s style, it’s definitely the place to go.
Verdalina is a fresh store on the Richmond-scape and introduced sustainable, refined brands to Broad Street. It's also one of the only places you can find up-and-coming designers like Apiece Apart and Raquel Allegra south of Brooklyn.
Like the name implies, the shop at Quirk Gallery is the best place to find your next conversation-starting piece of jewelry or a rogue tchotchke. Unique items that get a big bonus for being reasonably priced live here.
Addison opened early September, and has already made a name for itself thanks to its origin story. Seven friends, each with their own side jobs, had vintage and Etsy shops and decided to open up store together. They each work one day a week to keep it running. The store is stocked with affordable items from their personal brands (The Wild Heart, McCue Vintage, Na Nin Vintage, and more) plus a few others.
Along with Addison Handmade, Yesterday’s Heroes is leading to a resurgence of Addison Street. The merch isn’t all American Made, but the style is very much vintage Americana for women and men.
Newly opened on Grove, Nellie George offers conservative goods for women and kids, so it’s a good stop if you want to knock out shopping for two. It’s pricey, but think bright colors, brighter patterns.
The best place to create a party on the neck, Peter Blair ties and bow-ties are not for wallflowers. Look for the big colors and cute references across the city and soon on Fox News.
A rainbow building between to I-95 and the Diamond houses this absurdly large thrift store. It’s almost definitely out of your way, but contains everything under the sun: Men’s and women’s and children’s clothing, anything for the home from furniture to paper weights, CDs, DVDs, various and sundry appliances, etc. Worth a stop if you’re ready to dig, it’s Saturday or Sunday when they have 25 cent specials, and/or you also want to check the majestic baseball diamond off your sightseeing list.
This is great stop if you’re shopping for an event, whether its a dinner, wedding, or holiday party. The pieces are fun and upscale with picks by brands like Elizabeth and James, Velvet, Milly and Tibi.
Just celebrating its 30th anniversary, Halcyon is one of the city’s most well-stocked vintage shops for men and women. Clothing and accessories are primarily from the ‘40s through the ‘70s, and if you’re into fur, here’s where you’ll find it.
Roan is the best place to go if you missed your shopping trip to New York this year. It carries straight-off-the-runway digs by designers like 3.1 Phillip Lim, Alexander Wang, Derek Lam, Proenza Schouler, Isabel Marant and more. Be prepared to drop the big bucks, of course, but also to look out for a deal. The sale section can be very rewarding.
One of the better consignment shops in the city, Clementine makes good use of West End women’s well-treated cast-offs. Brands that regularly cycle through include Vince, Marc by Marc Jacobs, Tibi, Rebecca Taylor, Tory Burch, J.Crew, Milly, and DVF.
Need Supply’s webstore is so solid that many out-of-towners don’t realize it has a brick and mortar location as well. But the longtime Cary Street staple is Richmond’s outpost for really exciting moves happening in men’s and women’s fashion, and it’s definitely a go-to for male denimheads and accessory nerds. For women there are A.P.C. coats, Dusen Dusen dresses, Collina Strada accessories, and all the Jeffrey Campbell shoes ever made, basically.
For older vintage goods, stop by Bygones. Should you be in the need of a period-themed Halloween costume that you can wear again, a fur stole, fedoras, flint lighters, or a dress made between the years of 1920 and 1970, this is the spot. Items are pricier, but it gets extra bonus points for being next door to the $2 Byrd Theater.
Trinkets, baubles, tiny toy Jesuses. This emporium of mirth describes itself as “a place where Dr. Seuss meets Pee Wee’s Playhouse.” It will be the best and possibly weirdest browsing experience of your life, guaranteed.
Rumors is big with VCU students likely because it’s posted up downtown right next to the school. They carry affordable vintage, a lot of consignment (plenty of under-$70 snags). For ‘80s or ‘90s style, it’s definitely the place to go.
Verdalina is a fresh store on the Richmond-scape and introduced sustainable, refined brands to Broad Street. It's also one of the only places you can find up-and-coming designers like Apiece Apart and Raquel Allegra south of Brooklyn.
Like the name implies, the shop at Quirk Gallery is the best place to find your next conversation-starting piece of jewelry or a rogue tchotchke. Unique items that get a big bonus for being reasonably priced live here.
Addison opened early September, and has already made a name for itself thanks to its origin story. Seven friends, each with their own side jobs, had vintage and Etsy shops and decided to open up store together. They each work one day a week to keep it running. The store is stocked with affordable items from their personal brands (The Wild Heart, McCue Vintage, Na Nin Vintage, and more) plus a few others.
Along with Addison Handmade, Yesterday’s Heroes is leading to a resurgence of Addison Street. The merch isn’t all American Made, but the style is very much vintage Americana for women and men.
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