Racked: All Posts by Olivia HallThe National Shopping, Stores, and Retail Scene Bloghttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/52809/32x32.0..png2017-07-13T12:18:37-04:00https://www.racked.com/authors/olivia-hall/rss2017-07-13T12:18:37-04:002017-07-13T12:18:37-04:00This Island Off of Seattle Has the Cutest Shops
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<img alt="Bainbridge Island" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/a_JVE8_TQrEYpe4e75ETXsmwNac=/270x0:4730x3345/1310x983/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/55683287/GettyImages_452369304.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo: Wolfgang Kaehler/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p class="c-entry-disclaimer"><i>Racked is no longer publishing. Thank you to everyone who read our work over the years. The archives will remain available here; for new stories, head over to Vox.com, where our staff is covering consumer culture for <a href="https://www.vox.com/the-goods">The Goods by Vox</a>. You can also see what we’re up to by <a href="https://vox.com/goods-newsletter">signing up here</a>.</i></p>
<p>From quaint general stores to cool vintage spots.</p> <p id="WHgFIE">Even if you are prone to a little seasickness, if you’re in Seattle it’s worth hopping on the ferry from downtown and heading over to Bainbridge Island. The ride itself is lovely: a mere 30 minutes long, with exceptional mountain views on the way. Most weekenders walk onto the ferry and leave their cars behind because everything you’ll need is in Winslow, the hamlet where the boat lets you off. </p>
<p id="tZB2vR">Not only is this lush, creative community a perfect place for Seattleites and visitors alike to slow down for a weekend, but it’s also a great place to shop, with a retail scene that serves as a nice counterpoint to the offerings in the city. (It was recently dubbed “<a href="http://www.vogue.com/article/bainbridge-island-seattle-travel-guide-like-nantucket">The Nantucket of the Pacific Northwest</a>,” if that helps you imagine the vibe.) </p>
<p id="nPAhbs">Here, check out the must-visit shops, and see what to buy when you get there. </p>
https://www.racked.com/maps/bainbridge-island-shopping-seattle-washingtonOlivia Hall2017-06-16T11:02:02-04:002017-06-16T11:02:02-04:00Aerie Makes the Best Mall-Brand Underwear
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<img alt="A model wearing Aerie underwear and bra" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/4ZqPgaoCJRqU9Ly98QTd-WERASI=/123x0:1900x1333/1310x983/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/55265149/aerie_underwear.0.jpeg" />
<figcaption>Aerie <a href="https://www.ae.com/clearance-aerie-printed-shine-boybrief-navy/aerie/s-prod/5777_6057_410?cm=sUS-cUSD&catId=cat6460107">Printed Boybrief</a> (on sale for $3.99)</figcaption>
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<p class="c-entry-disclaimer"><i>Racked is no longer publishing. Thank you to everyone who read our work over the years. The archives will remain available here; for new stories, head over to Vox.com, where our staff is covering consumer culture for <a href="https://www.vox.com/the-goods">The Goods by Vox</a>. You can also see what we’re up to by <a href="https://vox.com/goods-newsletter">signing up here</a>.</i></p>
<p>Your Victoria’s Secret alternative.</p> <p id="eOpZ6h">It has taken the better part of my adulthood to find underwear that I felt comfortable with someone else seeing me in. I’m not 100 percent comfortable with my lil’ muffin top, so I’m always on the hunt for clothing that hugs my soft bits without accentuating the divot between the crest of my upper thigh and the beginning of my adorable stomach. </p>
<p id="hUlSyS">I’ve spent countless hours trying on scores of underthings that seemed to hang seamlessly on firm bodies but would get lost in my natural creases, creating the illusion that I was wearing a lace merkin. </p>
<p id="aUcyxW">The unexpected frontrunner? Aerie by American Eagle — yep, the same brand that brought you your seventh-grade fake sports team hoodie and ultra-wash denim is my favorite place to shop for affordable, cute undies. What’s kept me coming back to the mall for just a few more pairs is one incredible feature: a wide, soft, comfortable waistband in all the essential styles. The <a href="https://go.redirectingat.com?id=66960X1514733&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ae.com%2Faerie-everyday-loves-lace-thong-true-black%2Faerie%2Fs-prod%2F1446_5971_073%3Fcm%3DsUS-cUSD%26catId%3Dcat4130101&referrer=racked.com&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.racked.com%2F2017%2F6%2F16%2F15805430%2Faerie-underwear" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Thong</a>, <a href="https://go.redirectingat.com?id=66960X1514733&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ae.com%2Faerie-everyday-loves-lace-cheeky-true-black%2Faerie%2Fs-prod%2F1775_5973_073%3Fcm%3DsUS-cUSD%26catId%3Dcat6150142&referrer=racked.com&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.racked.com%2F2017%2F6%2F16%2F15805430%2Faerie-underwear" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Cheeky</a>, and <a href="https://go.redirectingat.com?id=66960X1514733&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ae.com%2Fundies-aerie-everyday-loves-lace-bikini-true-black%2Faerie%2Fs-prod%2F5775_5972_073%3Fcm%3DsUS-cUSD%26catId%3Dcat2010008&referrer=racked.com&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.racked.com%2F2017%2F6%2F16%2F15805430%2Faerie-underwear" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Bikini</a> all come equipped with a lacy waistband that doesn’t pinch natural creases; instead, it softly hugs your hips.</p>
<p id="csjZc9">I’ve had many pairs of underwear for years (that’s not gross, that's economical), and the ONLY ones that haven’t completely been reduced to saggy holes are my Aeries. I don’t know what type of iron thread they put in these things, but they do not degrade. And as part of the 8-for-$27 club, it’s really easy to buy in bulk. </p>
<p id="TAxxQz">If there is ever a time I know there is a possibility of someone seeing me naked, these pairs are the first ones I reach for because not only do they show off my Lovely Lady Lumps, but they are comfortable as hell. Who says we can’t have it all?</p>
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https://www.racked.com/2017/6/16/15805430/aerie-underwearOlivia Hall2017-06-12T12:32:01-04:002017-06-12T12:32:01-04:00Nashville's Coolest Store Is Growing as Fast as the City's Fashion Scene
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<figcaption>Josh and Ivy Elrod in their new concept shop, Wilder Etudes. | Photo: Courtesy Wilder Études</figcaption>
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<p class="c-entry-disclaimer"><i>Racked is no longer publishing. Thank you to everyone who read our work over the years. The archives will remain available here; for new stories, head over to Vox.com, where our staff is covering consumer culture for <a href="https://www.vox.com/the-goods">The Goods by Vox</a>. You can also see what we’re up to by <a href="https://vox.com/goods-newsletter">signing up here</a>.</i></p>
<p>The couple behind Wilder just opened up a second shop, with hopes to pop up across the country.</p> <p id="8mP5sk">Stepping inside the glass storefront of <a href="https://www.wilderlife.com">Wilder</a>, an eclectic boutique selling everything from streetwear to jewelry to art and furniture, feels like walking into your “cool” friend’s home... except you can buy everything you see. Minimalist with concrete floors and stark white walls but exploding with color at the same time, the shop is the brain child of performance artists Josh and Ivy Elrod (a former Rockette and Blue Man, respectively), who moved to Nashville in 2014. Three years and <a href="https://www.wilderlife.com/blogs/journal/wilder-etudes/">two shops</a> later, the Wilder brand is an anchor for the creative community that thrives in Nashville. </p>
<p id="CsJ70O">After living in New York City for 20 years, the Elrods saw the advantages of opening a shop in one of the country’s smaller cities. “We wanted to be doing this experiment in a place that had a little more padding,” says Ivy, ”where we weren’t so beholden to this excruciating bottom line, which would have been the case in New York.” With a rich history of culture and creativity, Josh’s hometown of Nashville seemed like the best choice — especially considering it has the third-largest concentration of <a href="https://go.redirectingat.com?id=66960X1514733&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.garmentory.com%2Fsale%2Fboutiques%2F138-nashville%2F%23sm.000r72py313nddqwz2d1g3nngizs0&referrer=racked.com&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.racked.com%2F2017%2F6%2F12%2F15779692%2Fwilder-nashville-concept-store" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener" target="_blank">independent fashion companies</a> per capita (after New York City and Los Angeles) in the country.</p>
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<img alt="A store interior." data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/oCKRbvxnadUcGev_-9cXcZKhyPA=/800x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/8670617/Wilder_interior_4.jpg">
<cite>Photo: Courtesy Wilder</cite>
<figcaption>The interior of Wilder, the brand’s original location. </figcaption>
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<img alt="The interior of Etudes" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/H-EHUbXdOsj-iiJdXQqrfy3RPSk=/800x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/8670089/Etudes_interior_13.jpg">
<cite>Photo: Courtesy Wilder Études</cite>
<figcaption>An interior shot of Wilder Études.</figcaption>
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<p id="65YsDo">Eclectic taste seems to come naturally to the pair, who seamlessly blend various aesthetic schools to create a world completely their own. “We’re probably the only retailer in the world that is an authorized Herman Miller dealer and also has [LA-based cult streetwear brand] <a href="http://braindead.xxx">Braindead</a>,” says Josh of their unique selection of goods. The homewares found in the space are pieces informed by the couple’s love of Japanese, Scandinavian, and generally (but by no means exclusively) minimalist design. You can find sleek credenzas made by Detroit-based designers <a href="http://www.alex-drew.com/">Alex Drew & No One</a>, minimalist recycled tables by <a href="https://go.redirectingat.com?id=66960X1514733&xs=1&url=http%3A%2F%2Flolldesigns.com%2F&referrer=racked.com&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.racked.com%2F2017%2F6%2F12%2F15779692%2Fwilder-nashville-concept-store" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Loll Inc</a>. (of whom they are also a licensed retailer), and a hefty collection of life accessories by Brooklyn design group <a href="https://go.redirectingat.com?id=66960X1514733&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.areaware.com%2F&referrer=racked.com&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.racked.com%2F2017%2F6%2F12%2F15779692%2Fwilder-nashville-concept-store" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Areaware</a>. </p>
<p id="LTb7aW">While they’ve brought in cool brands from all over the world, retaining the conversation between Wilder and the pre-existing Nashville scene is an important aspect of the shop's ethos, too. One of Wilder’s earliest collaborations was with local textile designer Andra Eggleston (daughter of William); the shop was the first store to carry Eggleston’s now-established textile line, <a href="https://www.wilderlife.com/brands/electra-eggleston/">Electra Eggleston</a>, which pays homage to cities that inspired some of her father’s drawings. “[The collaboration's concept is] geography, to some degree” says Ivy. “It’s where art meets design, which is exactly what governs everything we’re interested in — that intersection.” The vibrant, Southern-made pillows are found scattered throughout Wilder and would most likely be the textile used for the store’s flag, were the shop to become a sovereign nation.</p>
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<img alt=" " data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/Xix7VvY-Dye0mlBdzO8Vx1y44Z8=/800x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/8670413/Etudes_interior_3.jpg">
<cite>Photo: Courtesy Wilder Études</cite>
<figcaption>An interior shot of Wilder Études.</figcaption>
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<p id="9dn5pM">The Elrods have invested as much time into the community aspect of their storefront as they have in curating their inventory. In-shop parties that go into the wee hours, <a href="https://www.wilderlife.com/blogs/journal/happy-hour/">art openings</a> featuring some of the most interesting people in the south, and the occasional panel discussions with the movers and shakers of Nashville have all made Wilder <em>the</em> go-to spot in Music City. Walk into the shop and you are almost certain to find someone deep in conversation with Ivy or Josh, who often work the store together. </p>
<p id="eMGnvl">Almost compulsively, the pair seems to always have some sort of plate spinning. They have collaborated and hosted events with the likes of the stylist, blogger, and boutique-owner <a href="http://www.elisejoseph.com/">Pennyweight</a>; jewelry designer <a href="https://go.redirectingat.com?id=66960X1514733&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.pamelalove.com%2F&referrer=racked.com&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.racked.com%2F2017%2F6%2F12%2F15779692%2Fwilder-nashville-concept-store" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Pamela Love</a>; <a href="https://go.redirectingat.com?id=66960X1514733&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Fdomino.com%2F&referrer=racked.com&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.racked.com%2F2017%2F6%2F12%2F15779692%2Fwilder-nashville-concept-store" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener" target="_blank"><em>Domino</em></a> magazine; and indie fashion site <a href="https://go.redirectingat.com?id=66960X1514733&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.garmentory.com&referrer=racked.com&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.racked.com%2F2017%2F6%2F12%2F15779692%2Fwilder-nashville-concept-store" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Garmentory</a>. This spring, that boundless energy overflowed from the original boutique into the couple’s latest venture, Wilder Études, which just opened in Nashville’s Edgehill Village neighborhood in early June.</p>
<p id="0h4gjM">The name celebrates the notion of an étude as a piece of music used to practice a larger skill set; the small gallery-cum-shop is an even more distilled version of the Wilder brand, and <a href="https://www.wilderlife.com/the-green-edit/">the stock will be a rotating selection</a> of buyable items that revolve around a certain theme. “If we just picked things to study and took our roster of designers and presented an edit around that concept, that concept can be as abstract or concrete as we need it to be,” explains Ivy. </p>
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<p id="LCKgwh">The first theme unveiled with the shop is “<a href="https://www.wilderlife.com/the-green-edit/">Green</a>,” but it’s not as straightforward as you might think. “When you say ‘green,’ people are going to think, ‘Oh, there are gonna be green items there, which are green in color,’” says Ivy. “Which, in fact, there will be. That is one very obvious and fun interpretation of it. It’s the Pantone color of the year, and there’s lots of ways that green can be worked in well aesthetically. Then there’s this idea of green being recycled or up-cycled. Conceptually things can be green, they can be green because they’re domestically made.” You can check out a few of the items in the “green edit” in the gallery above.</p>
<p id="Llyq2Y">Josh, a musician and a serious collector of music, will be curating a collection of vinyl on each theme as well. “I’m a huge fan of Brian Eno, I have to figure out who the distributor is — if they re-pressed Brian Eno ‘Another Green World,’ because I definitely want that record in there," he says. The couple hopes to eventually tour the shop’s selection in different spaces throughout the country, possibly bringing the Wilder concept to a city near you. </p>
<p id="bY01tx">“[We are] willing to just hammer away and never go off the clock, you know?” says Ivy of their unrelenting work ethic. “Which is ultimately why I think all artists are really of the same ilk as entrepreneurs.” This ethic, a community of people who care about design, and Nashville’s exploding fashion scene make for a brand and world view that is truly infections. </p>
<p id="jxCFeB">But the Wilder brand doesn’t plan to stop at two boutiques. The couple has set their sights set on maybe one day opening a hotel, so visitors can truly exist — for a few days at least — in the Wilder world. “[Wilder is] about energy and creating an environment for people and ideas and objects and sounds and smells and all this stuff to come together,” Josh explained. Ivy was quick to add that the hotel would be “all those things plus sleep. Which I really love.” Here’s to hoping that Josh and Ivy get some sleep eventually, because it doesn’t seem like they are slowing down any time soon. </p>
<aside id="SPKJou"><div data-anthem-component="readmore" data-anthem-component-data='{"stories":[{"title":"The 10 Best Places to Shop, Eat, and Drink in Nashville","url":"https://www.racked.com/2015/3/30/8295117/things-to-do-in-nashville"},{"title":"How Nashville Supports Up-and-coming Designers","url":"https://www.racked.com/2016/5/27/11665830/nashville-vintage-fashion-designers"},{"title":"18 Nashville Shops You Need to Visit","url":"https://www.racked.com/maps/best-shopping-in-nashville-tn"},{"title":"Inside the Discount Designer Paradise You’ve Never Heard Of","url":"https://www.racked.com/2015/5/19/8621335/united-apparel-liquidators-discount-clothing-ual"}]}'></div></aside><p id="l5u6d6"> </p>
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https://www.racked.com/2017/6/12/15779692/wilder-nashville-concept-storeOlivia Hall2017-04-20T12:59:00-04:002017-04-20T12:59:00-04:00The Best Shopping in Seattle
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<figcaption>Photo: Glasswing</figcaption>
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<p class="c-entry-disclaimer"><i>Racked is no longer publishing. Thank you to everyone who read our work over the years. The archives will remain available here; for new stories, head over to Vox.com, where our staff is covering consumer culture for <a href="https://www.vox.com/the-goods">The Goods by Vox</a>. You can also see what we’re up to by <a href="https://vox.com/goods-newsletter">signing up here</a>.</i></p>
<p>Seattle's reputation for angsty music and coffee house culture might call to mind a sea of plaid and denim, but the city <a href="https://click.linksynergy.com/deeplink?id=nOD%2FrLJHOac&mid=1237&u1=racked&murl=http%3A%2F%2Fshop.nordstrom.com%2Fc%2Fcompany-history" target="_blank" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener">where Nordstrom was born</a> is anything but a one-trick pony when it comes to fashion and retail. A thriving local design scene means there are plenty of opportunities to discover your new favorite label at shops that stock everything from handmade ceramics and jewelry to high-end apparel.</p>
<p><span>Lovers of minimalism will feel right at home at fashion destination Totokaelo, while vintage freaks should flock to Pretty Parlor and the Fremont Vintage Mall for one-of-a-kind finds. </span><span>And if plaid and denim is what you're actually after, Seattle has that, too, in spades — and your first stop should be Blue Owl Workshop. </span></p>
<p><span>With so many amazing shops, you won't be leaving the Emerald City with anything less than a full suitcase — in fact, you might find yourself shipping a few items home.</span></p>
<p><i>This map was originally published on July 21st, 2016, and has since been updated with new stores. </i></p>
https://www.racked.com/maps/shopping-seattle-washingtonOlivia Hall2017-03-23T12:31:00-04:002017-03-23T12:31:00-04:0018 Nashville Shops You Need to Visit
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<figcaption><a href='Photo:'>Photo: High Class Hillbilly</a></figcaption>
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<p class="c-entry-disclaimer"><i>Racked is no longer publishing. Thank you to everyone who read our work over the years. The archives will remain available here; for new stories, head over to Vox.com, where our staff is covering consumer culture for <a href="https://www.vox.com/the-goods">The Goods by Vox</a>. You can also see what we’re up to by <a href="https://vox.com/goods-newsletter">signing up here</a>.</i></p>
<p>Nashville is slowly climbing to the top of everybody's vacation list (and if it's not on top of yours, we've got a few reasons it should be). Heralded as the Vegas of the South, the birthplace of country music is a growing city full of a new generation of movers, shakers, and makers. You may be spending your nights listening to some of the best musicians in the country, but don't miss out on the amazing vintage shops, boutiques stocked with local designers, and, of course, killer record stores this town has to offer. From old standbys to new storefronts, here's your guide to all things buyable in Music City.</p>
<p><i>This story was originally published June 9th, 2016 and has since been updated.</i></p>
https://www.racked.com/maps/best-shopping-in-nashville-tnOlivia Hall2017-03-22T13:02:01-04:002017-03-22T13:02:01-04:00Nashville’s Youngest Business Owner Is Cute as a Button
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<img alt="Gertude showing off her buttons" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/MtJn4HTRMxzYthGm40rSnXBMVv4=/1x0:960x719/1310x983/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/53818691/gertie_showing_buttons.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/hankabeebuttonco/">Hankabee Button Company</a></figcaption>
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<p class="c-entry-disclaimer"><i>Racked is no longer publishing. Thank you to everyone who read our work over the years. The archives will remain available here; for new stories, head over to Vox.com, where our staff is covering consumer culture for <a href="https://www.vox.com/the-goods">The Goods by Vox</a>. You can also see what we’re up to by <a href="https://vox.com/goods-newsletter">signing up here</a>.</i></p>
<p>9-year-old Gertie Crumpton started a custom button business to fund her dream of owning a Tesla.</p> <p id="pvC3G9">I first encountered the <a href="http://hankabee.com">Hankabee Button Company</a> a few years ago, when my fiancé had hired the local company to make buttons for his bar. He taped up an invoice to the inside of the DJ booth with the note: “She’s seven and she’s writing invoices, I had to keep it!” </p>
<p id="mBk6j1">As someone who continues to Google invoice templates if I ever have to write one, I was impressed that a 7-year-old even knew what an invoice was. But these skills are probably the least impressive thing about the girl behind Hankabee. </p>
<p id="Rwq1Hm">One of the youngest business license holders in Nashville (she’s 9 now), Gertrude Crumpton is quickly funding her dream of owning a Tesla through making and selling custom buttons. [Ed. note: Gertrude has formerly gone by the names Henrietta and Berta, among others, as her family lets her pick a new moniker when she feels like it.] </p>
<p id="w5OJII">“I had purchased a machine for my own shop,” explains Gertrude’s mom, Sunny, who runs a bright gift shop out of East Nashville called <a href="https://www.harlanruby.com/">Harlan Ruby</a>. “I realized there weren’t any button-making places in Nashville, and I thought it would be a really cool thing for my then-16-year-old, Madeline, to do.” When her middle daughter gave Sunny an immediate no, Gertrude, the youngest, was quick to voice her own ambitions. </p>
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<img alt="Examples of Hankabee buttons" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/aYFF1f-NhT7yQrRkkoXTveaiORY=/800x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/8198015/gertrude_hankabee_button.jpg">
<cite>Photo: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/hankabeebuttonco/">Hankabee Button Company</a></cite>
<figcaption>Some of Gertude’s work for a local client. </figcaption>
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<p id="w2FHAA">“Gertie’s hand was up high in the back seat like she was in class, saying, ‘I want to start a company! I want to have clients!’” And thus, the Hankabee Button Company was born. </p>
<p id="n8AKe1">With the help of the whole family, Gertrude’s button business has grown from a single machine to a full-scale operation, with clients that even include big-time Nashville musicians like <a href="http://www.kaceymusgraves.com/">Kacey Musgraves</a>. Gertie’s oldest sister Fiona helps out with some of the design elements, as she’s an excellent <a href="https://www.instagram.com/fionaflaherty/?hl=en">hand-letterer</a>. “My mom prints the art,” says Gertrude. “My sister Madeline helps me work with the machine. Madeline, Fiona, Mom, and I answer emails, and my dad puts pins in the buttons.” </p>
<div class="c-float-right"><aside id="1zyRRs"><q>“My favorite part of the business is working with my sisters.”</q></aside></div>
<p id="Jillf5">All buttons are designed and assembled in the family’s East Nashville studio, housed in the same complex as Harlan Ruby (where you should also check out the fun <a href="https://www.harlanruby.com/collections/jewelry">jewelry</a>, <a href="https://www.harlanruby.com/collections/greeting-cards">cards</a>, and other gifts). Most weekend days you can find at least one of the sisters in the studio or shop working on something bright and exciting; the family also makes things like tea towels, candles, and jump ropes. “My favorite part of the business is working with my sisters,” says Gertrude.</p>
<p id="5rsu12">Though Gertie mostly makes custom buttons these days — you can order them on <a href="http://hankabeebuttonco.bigcartel.com/">her website</a> for $17.50, or $20 for a set of 25, depending on the size; magnets are a little pricier — the shop has been a great place to showcase her designs, which currently include a collection called “She Persisted.” (Proceeds go to the <a href="https://action.aclu.org">ACLU</a> and <a href="http://www.gatheringforjustice.org/">Gathering For Justice</a>.) Some buttons, like those available on the Hankabee site for $1 each, are <a href="http://hankabeebuttonco.bigcartel.com/product/all-i-want-is-love">vintage reproductions</a> from Gertie’s own collection.</p>
<p id="pkJODs">If you’re not going to make it out to Nashville anytime soon, the family has shared that they’re working on a Hankabee mobile shop, soon to be driving across the US. While it might not be a Tesla (yet), it’s still a pretty impressive story for any young entrepreneur — let alone one still in grade school. </p>
<p id="ixZfw6"><strong>Harlan Ruby</strong><br><em>805 Woodland St #301, Nashville, TN 37206</em><br><em>(615) 955-0565</em></p>
https://www.racked.com/2017/3/22/14986760/hankabee-button-co-nashvilleOlivia Hall2017-02-27T12:02:01-05:002017-02-27T12:02:01-05:00You Can Find Rad Vintage Clothes and Jewelry at Those Massive Antique Malls
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<img alt="A display of vintage Chanel jewelry" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/wuLNcc1pVZToM6yUjNS4Ei-H9BM=/0x0:1775x1331/1310x983/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/53412171/vintage_chanel_jewelry.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo: Coveteur/Trunk Archive</figcaption>
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<p class="c-entry-disclaimer"><i>Racked is no longer publishing. Thank you to everyone who read our work over the years. The archives will remain available here; for new stories, head over to Vox.com, where our staff is covering consumer culture for <a href="https://www.vox.com/the-goods">The Goods by Vox</a>. You can also see what we’re up to by <a href="https://vox.com/goods-newsletter">signing up here</a>.</i></p>
<p>Here's how to cut through the junk.</p> <p id="OKG9LS">Let’s get one thing straight: An antique mall is a very different beast than an antique store. They may seem the same in your brain (i.e. a store stuffed with old things, and a world full of wonder and magic), but they’re not. Antique malls are usually much larger than your typical vintage store, which can make it very daunting to shop them. And though you might consider antique malls a dusty mass of towering aisles full of creepy Victorian dolls and broken-down Liberace furniture you’ll have to dig through to get a single soft tee, these places can be so much more. </p>
<p id="gdsYv6">You’ve probably seen them off the highway in your small hometown — sometimes they’re in barn-like buildings or multiple units of strip malls. They’re big because they function on a vendor system; this means that rather than a single shop proprietor, multiple sellers rent out smaller spaces within the malls and upkeep their areas as though they were a single shop. </p>
<p id="TYFCwY">Most vendors sell a lot homewares, but they often also sell pieces of clothing and accessories that are particularly special. When searching, keep in mind that vendors at antique malls often focus on the quality and history of their clothing, and pay special attention to brands. The vendors rarely take donations, and spend a huge amount of time amassing product, picking through estate sales and their secret sources. Vendors often only put out the cream of their crop, so finding the perfect cocktail dress or set of lucite bangles is a little tougher than finding the perfect antique armoire. </p>
<p id="Ned9nO">But it can be done, if you know how<em> </em>to look; here are a few tricks of the trade.</p>
<hr class="p-entry-hr" id="Afdtpy">
<h3 id="LTpnUq"><strong>Be Specific</strong></h3>
<p id="7VRlaa">Malls are great places to go if you have a specific era of clothing you always look for. Clothes at vintage malls are often really special pieces, as many malls really focus on furniture and ephemera. This means that the majority of items you are going to want to buy are not ugly Christmas sweaters or other items you can easily find at your local Goodwill, but actually worth the time you put in searching through miles of commemorative plates and old <em>Life</em> magazines. </p>
<p id="PlZ1kf">Know what you want before you go in; having a specific style in mind helps to weed through the stuff you really don’t need. </p>
<hr class="p-entry-hr" id="u972wr">
<h3 id="N7avaE"><strong>Know the Difference Between a Vendor Number and a Price</strong></h3>
<p id="jwWMmo">Price tags at antique malls usually have two different numbers on them: one is a vendor number, and the other is the price. And for whatever reason, it’s somewhat rare that vendors will put actual dollar signs on their tags to indicate price.</p>
<p id="gPRafZ">More often than not, the price is the bigger number, but that isn’t a foolproof method. Sometimes, there will be a <em>third</em> number, which is going to be that specific vendor’s inventory number; often those are six digits. To figure it out, compare nearby tags to see which number is on both — that one is the vendor number, and the other is going to be your price. Don’t worry if you don’t like what you see, because everything’s a little bit negotiable. </p>
<hr class="p-entry-hr" id="NwmCcn">
<h3 id="ysRK1S"><strong>Know the Lingo</strong></h3>
<p id="9iBMLt">There are certain acronyms you should always know when looking around a vintage mall, because many vendors use these terms to denote certain rules in their spaces. Here are a few:</p>
<p id="gUR1mm"><strong>OBO, Or Best Offer</strong>: Similar to eBay, this means the price is somewhat negotiable, particularly on higher-priced items. Usually, it means the vendor has had it for a while and is trying to move it, so keep this in mind when you make your offer. If you do want to haggle, remember that the owner of the space is not necessarily in the store and it may take a little time for the proprietor of the shop to contact the vendor. But don’t fret — it’s often worth the wait. </p>
<p id="Fc6e6m"><strong>ND, No Discount</strong>: This means that even if the vendor is having a sale throughout their space, items marked with ND do not apply. </p>
<p id="wTyF4o"><strong>NFS, Not For Sale</strong>: Exactly what it says. You’ll see NFS on display pieces such as shelves, dress forms, or other items that are holding pieces they want you to buy. Rarely, you can make an offer and a vendor will sell it to you, but don’t count on it.</p>
<aside id="ecU03m"><div data-anthem-component="actionbox" data-anthem-component-data='{"title":"Related","description":"<strong>How to Bargain Shop Internationally</strong>","label":"Read More","url":"http://www.racked.com/2016/10/10/13164114/how-to-bargain-shopping-markets"}'></div></aside><hr class="p-entry-hr" id="NXPBa4">
<h3 id="fUELRq"><strong>Find a Primer to Compare Prices </strong></h3>
<p id="jGXvjb">Going to a place with various vendors means they all sell their stuff at an amount they see fit, so expect prices to vary considerably. This is why it’s always good to have a specific item that most vendors carry — a primer — that you can compare from seller to seller to get an idea of what the booth’s price range is. </p>
<p id="v0T0At">Even if you’re shopping for clothing, you can use anything as a primer. Mine is Fiestaware — you know, those <a href="https://www.fiestafactorydirect.com/">brightly-colored dishes</a> from the ‘70s. If the Fiestaware is on the expensive side, that fur coat is probably going to be as well. But if it’s cheap, like under $5, I’m going to take my time and dig through that box of fabric, because you never know. </p>
<hr class="p-entry-hr" id="cHoI4L">
<h3 id="aYCfJx">
<strong>Test </strong><strong>f</strong><strong>or Authenticity</strong>
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<p id="8XUrI0">Antique malls are literal gold mines for awesome vintage jewelry. If you’re looking for something special, here are a few tests you can use to figure out if something is real.</p>
<p id="PofWcG"><strong>Gold and silver</strong>: To do this right, you need to bring a few things with you, specifically a magnet and some sort of small magnifying glass. For starters, gold and silver aren’t magnetic, so if they stick to one, you know it’s probably plated. A loop or magnifying glass is handy to check for stamps on the undersides of jewelry. “Silver is usually always marked 9.25, 600, or 800, depending on the percent of silver,” says Omaima Wolf, the owner of Seattle vintage store <a href="https://go.redirectingat.com?id=66960X1514733&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.etsy.com%2Fshop%2FBeAtSaNdBoHoS%3Fref%3Dl2-shopheader-name%23items&referrer=racked.com&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.racked.com%2F2017%2F2%2F27%2F14720068%2Fvintage-shopping-clothes-jewelry-best-deals" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Beats and Bohos</a>. But when you’re looking for gold, “be wary that you could find something marked improperly, which is way more common with gold than it is with silver.”</p>
<p id="3oTdos"><strong>Bakelite</strong>: In the 1930s, Coco Chanel introduced Bakelite to high-end fashion, but the material — which is commonly found today in billiard balls and specialty game pieces — is often mistaken for plastic. “Check for any molding seams. If it does have seams, it’s not bakelite. Bakelite was carved, not molded,” says Wolf. Also, a simple heat test works well if you still can’t tell. “Rub it firmly with enough friction to warm up the plastic,” Wolf explains. “If it gives off a stinky chemical smell, it's real!”</p>
https://www.racked.com/2017/2/27/14720068/vintage-shopping-clothes-jewelry-best-dealsOlivia Hall2015-03-30T13:00:02-04:002015-03-30T13:00:02-04:00The 10 Best Places to Shop, Eat, and Drink in Nashville
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<p class="c-entry-disclaimer"><i>Racked is no longer publishing. Thank you to everyone who read our work over the years. The archives will remain available here; for new stories, head over to Vox.com, where our staff is covering consumer culture for <a href="https://www.vox.com/the-goods">The Goods by Vox</a>. You can also see what we’re up to by <a href="https://vox.com/goods-newsletter">signing up here</a>.</i></p>
<p>Nashville's unprecedented reputation as a hotbed for creative talent has earned it the moniker of "Music City," but there's a lot more to it than that. A big city with a small town feel, Nashville is home to a rich craftsman scene, and doubles as a bonafide vintage and leather sanctuary. Below are ten of the city's best boutiques, bars, and restaurants worth a pitstop.</p>
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<h3><a href="http://www.crema%C2%ADcoffee.com/">Crema</a></h3>
<p>Start your day at Crema, an artisanal coffee shop that hand-selects its beans from independent farmers in places like Costa Rica, Guatemala, and Ethiopia. If you're looking to get serious about your coffee consumption, you can take a weekly class on Latte Art or Espresso Theory.</p>
<p><em>15 Hermitage Ave between Lea Ave and Peabody St</em></p>
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<h3><a href="http://www.sistersofnatureboutique.com">Sisters Of Nature</a></h3>
<p>All of the clothes and accessories at Sisters of Nature are ethically made, which makes it a guilt-free way to start a day of shopping. While you're there, be sure to try on a few of the store's beautiful stacking rings; comb through the racks of tanks, tees, and tunics; and treat yourself to something special from the apothecary section. </p>
<p><em>521 Gallatin Ave between Calvin and Stratton Aves</em></p>
<p><a style="font-family: font-benton; font-size: 21px; line-height: 1.25em; background-color: #ffffff;" href="http://www.oldmadegoodnashville.bigcartel.com/"></a></p>
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<h3><a href="http://www.oldmadegoodnashville.bigcartel.com/">Old Made Good</a></h3>
<p>Fans of Wes Anderson will feel right at home at Old Made Good, thanks to its vast mixture of expertly selected vintage furniture, clothing, Tennessee ephemera, and jewelry and art made by the store's owner, Ashley Sheehan. If you can't make it to the store in person, follow them on <a href="https://instagram.com/OLDMADEGOOD/">Instagram</a>—they ship all over the US.</p>
<p><em>3701B Gallatin Pike at Mc Chesney Ave</em></p>
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<h3><a href="http://pinewoodsocial.com/">Pinewood Social</a></h3>
<p>Pinewood Social has everything you need for hours of great food, cocktails and—if you're in the mood—a little bowling. During the spring and summer, beat the heat in the pool that boasts a full-service airstream bar.</p>
<p><em>33 Peabody St at Rolling Mill Hill Greenway</em></p>
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<h3 style="font-size: 18px; margin-bottom: 0px; padding: 0px; overflow: hidden; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;" class="r"><a style="color: #660099; cursor: pointer;" href="http://www.imogeneandwillie.com/">Imogene + Willie</a></h3>
<p>If you're looking for the perfect American-made denim—which can be conveniently tailored on site—and vintage tees, look no further than Imogene + Willie. The shop is also home to a solid selection of Warby Parker glasses, the company's first outpost in Nashville.</p>
<p><em>2601 12th Ave S between Sweetbriar and Montrose Aves</em></p>
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<h3><a href="http://www.heyrooster.com/">Hey Rooster</a></h3>
<p>After making her name throughout New York selling her own jewelry, owner and Nashville native Courtney Webb opened Hey Rooster in East Nashville. This reinvention of a traditional General Store sells from everything from <a href="http://www.raakachocolate.com/">Raaka</a> 71% Dark Chocolate to <a href="http://claudiapearson.com/shop/">Claudia Pearson</a> Tea Towels to a make-your-own crop-top kit.</p>
<p><em>1106 Gallatin Ave between W Greenwood and Sharpe Aves</em></p>
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<h3><a href="http://www.motomodashop.com">Mota Moda</a></h3>
<p>If you've heard of Moto Moda, you're probably thinking of the airstream trailer it used to call home. Thankfully, the shop recently settled into a permanent storefront filled with leather wallets, motorcycle helmets, and handcrafted jewelry. Carefully curated by local musician Nikki Lane, Mota Moda's selection of vintage clothes is a must-see.</p>
<p><em>521 Gallatin Ave between Stratton and Maxwell Aves</em></p>
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<h3><a href="http://theacmenashville.com/">Acme Feed & Seed</a></h3>
<p>A visit to Nashville wouldn't be complete without seeing a live performance from one of the many local world-class musicians. Acme Feed & Seed offers exceptional talent almost every night of the week, and their hearty Southern menu makes for an all-around great evening filled with food and live music. If ribs are not your thing, you can always walk upstairs to the sushi bar, run by Nashville's infamous "<a href="http://nashville.eater.com/2014/10/8/6947325/nashvilles-sushi-nazi-is-back-at-work-at-acme-feed-seed">Sushi Nazi</a>," Sam Katakura.</p>
<p><em>101 Broadway at 1st Ave N.</em></p>
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<h3><a href="http://www.whitesmercantile.com/">White's Mercantile</a></h3>
<p>Wrap up a day of shopping at White's Mercantile, located inside a converted gas station in Nashville's 12th South shopping district. The store's proprietor, Holly Williams, (granddaughter of Hank and daughter of Hank Jr.), has stocked it with accessories, candles, canned jams and honey, home decor, and a great run of children's toys and clothing.</p>
<p><em>2908 12th Ave S between Paris and Kirkwood Aves</em></p>
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<h3><a href="http://the404nashville.com/">The 404</a></h3>
<p>If you need a place to stay and aren't interested in one of the city's larger hotels, make a reservation at The 404. The hotel, which was once a car mechanic garage, is<br>decorated with both vintage and custom made furniture with a collection of local artists' work hung throughout. Take note: the hotel only has five rooms, so make sure to reserve your spot in advance.</p>
<p><em>404 12th Avenue S between Pine St and 11th Ave S.</em></p>
https://www.racked.com/2015/3/30/8295117/things-to-do-in-nashvilleOlivia Hall