Clothes That Carry A Story: 17 Years of The Stockist On 9th and 9th

“Quality clothing for an everyday life.” This mantra ruminates in the walls of The Stockist, a hyper-local shop with sustainability and dedication to craft at its core. Nestled on the south side of 900 S. 900 E., not only has The Stockist truly made a home for itself in one of Utah’s most sought-after shopping destinations, but it has re-centered what the retail experience is supposed to feel like.

The Stockist opened its doors in 2009, first under a different name. What is now a specialty-curated shop was once an idea born from the minds of a brother and sister who saw a widening gap in the Salt Lake City retail community. With a burning desire to fill it, the duo created what was then Fresh.

“We weren’t looking to be the next biggest thing or some crazy designer boutique. We just wanted it to be a store that you could come and enjoy and afford something,” says Helen Wade, owner of The Stockist.

“We wanted to really just acknowledge that we are taking our time and we are going a little bit more ‘slow fashion.’”

Wade and her brother, Ian, opened the shop with little to no money, recycled displays and one goal: to establish an atmosphere that was about more than just simply shopping.

As their business grew, attending designer showrooms opened their eyes to the intricacies of clothing production, drawing out the desire to focus their efforts on garnering brands committed to “care in craft and responsible production.” Their philosophy shifted to focus on quality, sustainability and a special interest in slow fashion.

About five years, a move across the street and a brand name change later, The Stockist now prioritizes the longevity of clothes and a timeless feel in an era of volatile fashion.

“I think what has been lost in the clothing world, especially with these bigger shops that just keep pumping stuff out, is that your clothes are meant to last and carry a story with you,” Wade says. “We wanted to really just acknowledge that we are taking our time and we are going a little bit more ‘slow fashion.’”

“Quality clothing for an everyday life.”

The Stockist vows to create a uniquely customer-focused shopping experience. Rather than frivolous buying to keep up with mercurial trends, Wade adds that each piece now hanging on The Stockist’s racks was once seen in a showroom and hand-picked for the purpose of being puzzled into customers’ lives.

“Our lines focus on quality, small-batch productions that come from real people, independent designers supporting positive change and using their platforms for good,” Wade adds.

This is the crux of how The Stockist has endured the test of time and maintained lasting relationships with both the community and the brands that they work with.

“I love 9th and 9th; it feels like a second home for me there.”

Wade described what it feels like to have customers who first visited Fresh as college students 17 years ago, evolved along with the shop and are now married with college students of their own.

“It’s just fun to see that we have grown with our customers, and I’m so glad we stayed in that neighborhood, so we could be part of their lives and their growth as well,” Wade says. “I love 9th and 9th; it feels like a second home for me there.”

As the shop has grown into what it is today, a nucleus of inclusivity has been fostered. Regardless of race, religion, gender, age or orientation, everyone is welcome.

This philosophy was partly shaped by a negative retail experience Wade had before opening Fresh. She once visited a local shop with birthday money, intending to purchase something for herself but left feeling unwelcome and discouraged. That experience shifted Wade’s vision to create a store where customers would never have that feeling.

“It’s free to say hi. I’m here, and I’m stoked if you just come in and talk to me,” Wade says. So stop in and say hi, or to learn more about The Stockist, visit thestockistshop.com.

Read more of the most stylish spots in Salt Lake City:
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Bright & Stormy Kids: DIY Festival Vintage Vendors

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