Let me share a secret with you... In this industry, keeping your sources, your favorite haunts, the best places to dig a secret can be justified as self preservation. Recently however, I feel like this behavior has caused a certain business that I have loved (for years longer than my own) to be suffocated in our market. Cheap Thrills, is the only reason that a greater part of our state has been exposed to good vintage. Students flock from far and wide to the U of A and where do they go to get their function wear? Cheap Thrills! When they figure out that worn in Levis wear better than any premium denim, where do they find them? Cheap Thrills! When they need some cash for clothes, who do they sell them to? Cheap Thrills! AND, when the local boutique vintage shops (yes, Im under the bus too) need some party dresses or inspiration...who do we turn to? CHEAP THRILLS! Long before it was trendy, it was her life. Even as new shops sprouted up, she never complained, she pressed on doing what she does- because thats who she is. I will never forget how she encouraged me when I went to her before Maes and asked her what she thought about a vintage jewelry store...she never paused for a second...she told me, YES!!! just as a good friend would. Oh sure, over the years we have grown even closer and have done heaps and tons of business...but all quietly, secretly. It occurs to me that THAT is part of the problem now for her beloved store - so here goes, in case you didnt know: CHEAP THRILLS HAS AMAZING VINTAGE! YES! REALLY! Some of my MOST prized possessions came from her rock castle: elbow length hand inked HERMES gloves, a creamy LilliAnn coat that stopped women to question me all over NYC, hand made headbands from France c.1920s, an alligator clutch Ill be buried with, and ostrich boa shawl that I would fight a man for...little goodies by Halston, Karl Lagerfeld, Dior, Eisenberg, and Haskell...plus Bakelite for miles and wagon loads of brass, glass, sterling, Kramer, and Weiss! Sounds like the best place EVER right? Well, here in lies the rub, with such a jewel in our town- with such a magnificent soul at the helm...how can she be struggling??? Well kids, heres the thing- its NOT a museum, its NOT a non-profit, its NOT a library of polyester...ITS A STORE!! I implore you- go there without any idea what you are looking for, roll up your GAP sleeves and BUY SOMETHING...dont just buy whatever, put on your spectacles of inspiration and find something you LOVE! Plunk down some real moo-lah and be HAPPY with your rare find...do it now while you still can, or get to know the manager of a sub par thrift...but I tell you, she wont be like Harriet.
Posted on: Sat, 25 Jan 2014 04:46:23 +0000
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