WORTH, IL — If you’re running out of things to shop for in your own closet, try Sammy Wilson’s Weekend Closet, a resale clothing boutique in Worth.
Avowed closet shoppers will delight in the range of high quality secondhand apparel, shoes and accessories at Weekend Closet, that promotes sustainability by upcycling clothing and keeping it out of the landfills.
“We’re a resale shop, we don’t like to say thrift store,” said Wilson, who lives in Crestwood. “The store is clean and color coordinated. You can dress the whole family here from size infant to size 3X.”
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Weekend Closet, which opened eight years ago at 6955 W. 111th St., Worth, also has a large vintage section featuring nostalgic windbreakers, sports jerseys, racing shirts and concert shirts.
Merchandise at the Weekend Closet is presented in attractive displays.
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About ten years ago, Wilson and her fiance started purchasing excess items and bulk clohting from different thrift stores and recycling compaies. They were able to sell most of the items and make decent money at it to establish a business.
“We sorted through the items in our garage and hit the flea market at 63rd Street and Ashland Avenue,” Wilson said.
Recommerce, or reverse selling of pre-owned goods has become increasingly popular with environmentally-minded Gen Z and millennial shoppers. BigCommerce, a B2C and B2B commerce solution provider, estimates that the secondhand fashion industry alone will surpass $200 billion in sales globally by 2026.
>>> Keep up with Weekend Closet sales, new merch and happenings on Facebook
“We recycle clothing that we buy in bulk. We go through the items, keep the good stuff and put aside what we’re going to recycle,” Wilson. “What we weren’t able to use we sold back so everything ended up getting recycled or resold.”
What Wilson doesn’t use, she sells back to recyclers. What the recylcers can’t salvage is turned into new fabric. Extending the life cycle of textiles can reduce energy and water consumption through the distribution of reclaimed wipers or recycled rags vs. manufactured.
“Nothing gets thrown out,” she said. “Even the stuff that is garbage. It goes to a recycler.
Weekend Closet carries a vintage section of nostalgic T-shirts and windbreakers.
Currently the store is stocked for summer – little girls outfits, stylish gym clothes, chic beachwear and cute summer ensembles. Wilson knows how to throw an outfit together and presents them in attractive displays. Unlike other thrift stores which often have an odor to them, the Weekend Closet is open, airy and bright.
“That’s another thing that makes me different, [my store] smells amazing,” she said. “You don’t have to dig through the bad to get to the good. I make shopping easy.”
The store is not affiliated with a charity, but is run as a for-profit resale business. There are clearance racks for every section and spin-the-wheel deals. Wilson also offers a rewards program.
Accessories, jewelry and shoes – everything from heels to gym shoes to sandals – have recently been restocked. Items are priced based on wear-and-tear, brands and where they came from.
“I don’t price anything near to what you pay online,” Wilson said.
Shirts and tops range from $2.99, $3.99 and $4.99; kids clothes anywhere from 99 cents to $5; and jeans up to $8.99.
“I’m consistent with my prices,” Wilson said. “I’m meticulous, fair and affordable”
Although the store doesn’t rely on donations, people will often bring in a classic or vintage fashion item that has sentimental meaning.
“When you’re cleaning out your closet, it’s painful to part with stuff,” she said. “If I don’t sell it here, it’s going somewhere.”
The Weekend Closet, 6955 W. 111th St., Worth (across the street from Worth Snack Shop). Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Thursday through Sunday. The store is restocked daily. Contact the store at 708-607-0444 or [email protected].
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