Tag: philly

An Interview With Philadelphia’s Urban Exchange Project

Welcome back everyone! This week, I reached out to likely the most popular thrift shop in Philadelphia, Urban Exchange Project. Although I requested to speak with owner and founder of the shop, Eddie, I was unsuccessful in acquiring an interview. However, Urban’s Exchange’s social media page replied to my message via Instagram fairly quickly and requested for me to send any questions I had to their email and they would get back to me. Well, here’s what the shop’s response to the questions I asked:

My first question would be how do you go about keeping popular merch that you know will sell in the shop ?

– We are constantly adapting to trends— what sells fast? what are people wearing? And then our own personal opinions of “what’s cool”.

Secondly, your blog page on your website has some really interesting stories. What kind of community has that blog created for the shop and what are some of the effects from the online thrift community that you see in shop ?

– We have learned how important our impact online has been through speaking to customers at checkout and learning a lot of our customers have discovered us either on Instagram or through google! We are constantly creating a community of expression through sharing unique pieces.

Also, what was the motivation behind establishing the first shop in 2014 ? And what were some things that led to opening the Fishtown location in 2016 ?

The motivation for our first store was really based on giving back. To this day we still donate one piece of clothing for every piece purchased. In 2016 we were ready to take on something bigger and expanded our brand to Fishtown. I would say our biggest thing is not having any rules or limitations on our identity— we just grow with the flow.

Next, do you have some favorites in terms of merch that’s ever been sold or is currently in the shop ? (Both the Fishtown & Roxborough locations)

Yes! Absolutely, we have seen some crazy pieces pass through! It is so hard to pick just one piece because we really see SO many items. We have this one fur coat with Picasso faces that Rihanna wore that is part of our collection— I don’t think we will ever sell it!

What tips can you give for thrifters who come looking for the best deals in your shop ?

I would say— make sure you go through the whole rack. There are so many times I’ll find stuff hidden in the racks, the second I move it to the front it will sell.

Lastly, what can you tell the audience about future of Urban Exchange Project and what they can expect from the shop in the foreseeable future ?

Well, this November and December we are opening Pop up shop in the Gloucester Premium outlets which is huge! We are really excited to show everyone what we’ve been working on for this one. In terms of the future future— there is no limit!

 

As expected, this interview provided some great into the mind set, motivation, and ambition of a professional thrifter. The information provided by the representative of the Urban Exchange Project was invaluable to those of us who still have those childlike dreams and aspirations of selling fashionable clothes for a living. This interview shows just how fun, and possibly this actually is.

Here is a poll for everyone to vote on what their favorite part of the interview was? If not,  please feel free to respond to our email with any questions that you did not feel were answered. Through the Contact Us page, you can give any feedback, comments, or concerns and expect a response fairly soon. Thank you!