Monday, November 17, 1997
The University Daily Kansan
Section A • Page 3
Recycled clothes hang in Sugartown
Keri Morrison, Mission senior, sorts through clothes at Sugartown Traders, 918 Massachusetts St. . The store, which sells used clothing, opened Nov. 1 by former employees of Arizona Trading Co. Photo by Lynn Kalendar/KANSAN.
By Ann Premer
apremer@kansan.com
Kansas staff writer
Two former employees of Arizona Trading Co. have opened their own version of a used-clothing store downtown.
Tamyra Heim and Shelly Lane, Lawrence residents, opened Sugartown Traders, 918 Massachusetts St., on Nov. 1. Heim said that they had considered several different towns before they selected Lawrence.
"We have both always been interested in vintage and used clothing," Heim said. "We like the whole idea of recycling. There's definitely a market for it in Lawrence."
Heim, who was employed by Arizona Trading Co.'s Lawrence store for four and a half years, said that the idea of buying, selling and trading clothing had originated on the West Coast but that she had learned some tricks of the trade from her former employer.
Jennifer McKnight, owner of Arizona Trading Co., said she opened the store six years ago because she thought there was a demand in Lawrence for used clothing. She said she was unsure about whether there was a need for two similar stores in town.
"I just know that Arizona will always be the originator in town," McKnight said. "The way we do things will always be unique. I feel like it's flattering that we provided inspiration for somebody else."
"I think it's great," Morrison said.
Keri Morrison, Kansas City. Mo., senior, said that Sugartown Traders' prices were comparable to Arizona Trading Co.
"I think it's great," Morrison said. Heim said she and Lane had gathered their merchandise for the store's opening from thrift stores, garage sales, auctions and their closets.
At Sugartown Traders, Heim and Lane buy clothing from customers, who either receive 60 percent of the resale price of the item in trade or 40 percent of the resale price in cash.
"There aren't really set prices on anything." He said.
Heim said the store kept a customers' most-wanted list. Customers can tell Heim or Lane what they are looking for, and when the item comes to Sugarart Traders it will be held for the customer.
"Generally just about everything comes through the store at some point." Heim said.
Lane said she also kept a record of customers who traded or sold items at the store so customers didn't have to worry about losing credit slips.
ALL YOU CAN EAT!
SUNDAYS
(5pm-8pm)
at THE WHEEL
14th & Ohio
$4.95
NOW IS THE TIME!
PYRAMID PIZZA
MEADOWBROOK
15th & Crestline Mon.-Fri. 8-5:30 Sat 10-4 Sun 1-4
TIBETAN FREEDOM CONCERT THE MOVIE
Dissidents, Former Prisoners & Religious Leaders bear witness to things the Chinese Government does not want you to know.
UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS
FREE ADMISSION* with voucher 8PM @ Woodruff Auditorium
Presented in association with SUA
For more information call 864-SHOW www.ukans.edu/~sua
* Vouchers will be distributed from the SUA office the day of the event.
Passes required. Seating is limited and not guaranteed. Please arrive early.
Look for flyers on campus featuring the complete list of artists!
NETWORK
EVENT
THEATER®
LAWRENCE AUTOMOTIVE DIAGNOSTICS 842-8665 2858 Four Wheel Dr.
WE OFFER:
- A WIDE RANGE OF DOMESTIC AND IMPORT BEERS
•OVER 200 FINE WINE VARIETYS
•HOLIDAY PACKAGE SPECIALS
842-8700 600 LAWRENCE AVE.
(ACROSS FROM DLHONE ON STREET)
"Gobble Up" the extra cash before Thanksgiving!
FREE Physicals & Immunizations (Call for details)
816 W. 24th St. 749-5750
Hours: Mon-Fri. 9am-6:30pm