The economy's effect on summer budgets may cause some students to rethink what to buy. Luckily, there are a couple stores in Muncie students can go to for their warm weather clothing options.
FASHIONABLE AND FRUGAL
Rue21 sits across from Old Navy in the Muncie Mall, windows adorned with new clothes and posters for ongoing sales. Its blue, white and black colors shine out against the humdrum of the tiled mall floor and dance music pours out the opening. Customers walk in as steady as the beat. At Rue21, any style of clothes can be bought, from summer dresses to pea coats to red-colored skinny jeans.
The store can be best described as "fashion forward." At least assistant manager Holly Buckler thinks so.
"It's a more fashionable Old Navy," she said. The colors stand out more as well, despite being cool against Old Navy's warm reds and yellows. The store opened up last November and has since received a warm reception. With an average price point of $15 dollars, a student shopper can't complain.
"College kids love us," Holly adds. "Guys really like our store." But Rue21 isn't just a store for guys. Most of the shoppers are girls looking at the shoes or sunglasses (one of the items people "go nuts over") or the various clearance racks. Right now, a shelf covered with men's v-neck t-shirts are going for $5 apiece. Across the store, a $3 rack for girls has tops and other summer wear. Accessories, cologne and dress clothes also display the stores ability to provide for an entire outfit.
Rue21's visuals attract a variety of people, from high schoolers to parents. The variety of clothes (and the prices) appeals to everyone looking for individuality. Other fashion stores in the mall like PacSun, Gap Outlet and American Eagle may appeal to certain types of shoppers, but Buckler says they are doing "very well" against the competition.
SMALL, BUT STYLISH
Not far from the mall, next to Polo Jeep on Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, sits the Off Broadway Antique Mall. It's a large, half-acre building with over 100 booths inside. One of these booths, Rethreads Vintage, is packed tight with vintage clothes, records, shoes and accessories. It's a small booth, just barely wide enough for a person to move around. A long rack is full of '70s dress, cowboy shirts and other clothes. On top of this are REO Speedwagon records, hats and trinkets. The other side of the booth is taken up by a table covered in necklaces and other jewelry, as well as a shoe rack.
"Every piece is unique," Sidney Reul, the owner of Rethreads Vintage, said. While working as a manager at the Antique Mall, Reul was given the chance to fill the space vacated by a similar booth. "I love the different styles and Rethreads focuses solely on vintage." Using a mix of girls' and guys' styles, the small setup has a wide variety of appeal.
All of the items are cheaply priced, too. Most of the hanging clothes are around or under $10. Sunglasses and bracelets go for about $5. But how does one price something vintage? "I use reference books," she said, "or just sell for what I paid for it."
Business has been few and far between at Rethreads, mostly because of its location.
"We've had a hard time getting people," Reul said. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd is on the east part of town, a good ten-minute drive from campus, but only a short distance from the mall.
Both stores, though different in size and style, offer a variety of clothes for students feeling the heat outside and on the wallet. From the fashion savvy of Rue21 to the nostalgia of Rethreads Vintage, a great deal is just waiting to found.
Read More
Three Air Jam teams take home the win
October 12, 2012Nineteen teams shimmied, shook and flipped for a sold out John R. Emens Auditorium on Thursday night during the 25th annual Air Jam.
Bill Clinton Speaks at North Central High School
October 12, 2012Former President's Speech Could Have Effect on State Senate Race
