Even when Chris Jochum was an audiologist living comfortably in San Francisco, she scoured vintage stores for her clothing.
“I have a hard time buying new,” Jochum said. “We live in such a disposable society. I love a treasure hunt.”
Jochum left her career in 2002, when she bought Urban Eccentric, a vintage clothing store in Vancouver, where she had lived previously.
“I didn’t want to get stuck in a career that wasn’t fun and fulfilling to me,” she said.
Jochum bought the Uptown Village store from Dawn Waldal, who established it in 1999.
Merchandise comes from customers who trade clothes and accessories for cash in-house and online, and from auctions, vintage stores and retirement communities, where families often want to find new homes for vintage goods.
“Once you’re in the business, people want to sell you their stuff,” she said.
Customers are usually young and trendy, but all ages come in for Halloween costumes, theme weddings, parties and staged performances, Jochum said
When she bought the business a recession was looming, and some questioned her venture.
“It didn’t really scare me because I wanted it so much,” Jochum said.
Even with this year’s slow economy, she said her sales haven’t changed. People buy used when they’re low on cash, Jochum said. And eco-trends make recycled clothing chic.
“Now it’s almost a sense of pride to be recycling and reusing things, even among teenagers,” she said. “There’s a totally different mental image of secondhand now.” Urban Eccentric had a coffee shop, which Jochum kept going until about 2003. Then she sold its equipment and furniture to invest in clothing, tripling the store’s stock.
Since 2002, the store’s gross sales have tripled. Jochum said the store is close to reaching its first major financial milestone, but she wouldn’t give specifics.
eBay also has provided revenue for more than four years, almost like a second store, Jochum said. The website auctions require less time and energy than another location and have significantly increased sales numbers, which Jochum declined to give.
“It’s already paying off,” she said. “I can feel the momentum starting.”
She sold one pair of Levis online for $1,500 and dresses have gone for $500. Merchandise goes as far as Japan and Australia, and to other U.S. vintage sellers, who see Vancouver prices as a bargain.
“It’s a steal for some people,” she said. “My in-store prices are like wholesale to them.”
This year, Jochum hired two part-time employees, freeing her to boost online sales and take weekends off for the first time.
“I feel like Rocky – I’ve made it,” she said. “(This work is) not for the faint of heart. You have to really love this lifestyle.”
Urban Eccentric
Chris Jochum, owner
2411 Main St., Vancouver
360-694-2934
Charity Thompson can be reached at cthompson@vbjusa.com.
