Iowa City: Macy Krall has launched 223 Vintage Co. and 223 Baby Co. in West Branch and downtown Iowa City. The shops reflect the rising demand for sustainable fashion and cater to new parents, all while navigating challenges posed by the pandemic and fostering a positive workplace culture.
Iowa City resident Macy Krall has entered the burgeoning second-hand fashion market with her store, 223 Vintage Co., located in West Branch. In addition to offering a wide range of vintage clothing and accessories, Krall also operates 223 Baby Co., located on Dubuque Street in downtown Iowa City, which caters to the needs of new parents with baby decorations, clothing, and toys.
The increasing popularity of vintage fashion and sustainable shopping is partly attributed to growing concerns about climate change. The second-hand market in the U.S. has witnessed an annual growth rate of 4.7 percent over the last five years, with projections estimating a global increase of 127 percent by 2026. According to data, approximately 18 percent of Americans engage in thrift shopping.
Macy Krall’s passion for thrift shopping began in her teenage years and has persisted through various career transitions, including photography, health care, and business. Her aim of establishing a vintage shop came to fruition after her husband discovered a storefront in West Branch. The couple acquired the location in January 2020, shortly before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, and officially opened their doors in March 2020.
During the initial stages of her store’s operation, Krall encountered disruptions due to the pandemic. “When we opened, we had heard about this virus, but things weren’t shutting down yet. During this time, we started doing plant sales on Instagram, and that’s how we would get by. My landlord didn’t give me a break, so I had to still pay my rent while we were closed,” she explained.
After reopening, Krall noted that the baby section of her inventory was expanding significantly. To address this, she was approached by Shop Iowa City regarding an available retail space downtown. Following her visit to the prospective location, she decided to rent it, leading to the creation of 223 Baby Co.
Krall has emphasised the importance of hiring reliable employees for her stores. Amanda Campbell, who now manages both 223 Vintage Co. and 223 Baby Co., began her journey by inquiring about a job. “I walked by, and I heard they were hiring. I directly messaged the store’s Instagram account and got an interview with Macy,” Campbell stated. Over time, the staff has grown, and Campbell currently oversees five employees.
Maria Volkman, a business student at the University of Iowa, has been working at the baby store for over a year and appreciates the personal connections formed with customers. “My favourite thing [about working at the baby store] is helping people pick out things for monumental reasons like having a baby. I just love the atmosphere and interacting with the customers and the babies,” she remarked.
The merchandise offered at 223 Vintage Co. and 223 Baby Co. varies considerably. Krall sources vintage items from estate sales and auctions instead of thrift stores, ensuring a diverse selection. “I try to have a wide variety of items from all different periods. I recently went to an estate sale, and the lady had a whole strawberry collection, and I bought it all. I like that you don’t know what you’re going to find when you walk in [to the store],” Krall shared.
Owning a business that aligns with her passion for vintage items is fulfilling for Krall. She stated, “I’ve hired a lot of staff that I trust to run the stores, so I can do more things like going to markets, barcoding, and those extra unseen items. I am not usually at the register at the vintage store, but I’m there almost every day. I love the thrill of sourcing [items]. Every week in the store, you don’t know what’s new until you come in on Fridays and Saturdays. I just love it. Vintage will never go out of style.”
Krall’s employees commend her leadership style, particularly her approach to scheduling, time off, and compensation. Amanda Campbell remarked on the positive working environment, stating, “I love working for a small business in general. The person you’re working for actually cares about you.” Similarly, Volkman praised Krall’s attentiveness to their needs as college students seeking flexible hours, asserting, “Macy is the best.”
Source: Noah Wire Services
