A quick guide to some of Davis’ many vintage, thrift and secondhand shops
By GIA LOOMIS — city@theaggie.com
While clothing trends are ever-changing, thrifting seems to be the one fashion fad that sticks. Among Gen Z, thrift and vintage store shopping popularity has skyrocketed, resulting in a high demand for unique secondhand shops and collections.
Thrifting, which was originally driven by financial necessity, used to be regarded with an air of taboo. However, the idea of thrifting has shifted drastically over the years. Today, shoppers view it as a way to fight fast fashion and work toward sustainable shopping practices. Younger consumers are increasingly choosing secondhand shopping as a way to limit the environmental stressors of fast fashion, while also satisfying their desire to find unique, one-of-a-kind pieces.
Given thrifting’s reputation for sustainability, affordability and unique finds, Gen Zers can’t get enough — and Davis’ student population is no exception. With the growing trend of secondhand shopping, combined with Davis’ younger, college-age demographic, the city has accumulated a fair share of thrift shops over the years.
Beginning in 2012, Davis welcomed one of its first small-business thrift shops, Bohéme. Serving as a boutique thrift store aimed at providing affordable and sustainable clothing, Bohéme filled a void in Davis for a buy/sell secondhand clothing store. Bohéme is a great spot to find unique yet cost-effective pieces of clothing and accessories, as most of their prices range between $2 to $15.
As thrifting started to gain popularity in the late 2010s, more vintage shops made their way to Davis, including Treehouse Vintage in fall 2019. Treehouse Vintage aimed to bring high-quality and accessible vintage clothing to Davis, becoming the city’s first curated vintage store with an entirely hand-picked inventory. Store owner Kenny Gagni explained what Treehouse Vintage aims to provide to Davis’ vintage shopping scene.
“After six years in business, we aim to provide the best essentials as well as statement pieces for the vintage lover[s] in Davis,” Gagni said. “The town has its own aesthetic and charm that we strive to connect with.”
Gagni also explained that Davis’ college town nature has a large influence on Treehouse Vintage’s store and product curation.
“We love the college population, as they drive our business,” Gagni said. “We love to stay on top of vintage trends but still remain true to the identity of this small town. We cater to them through our selection, store vibes (music, decor and customer service) and through our social media on Instagram.”
Treehouse Vintage provides a strong selection of vintage clothing and accessories while still maintaining a competitive price point; this is the place to find distinct, individualized pieces without breaking the bank.
Thrifting soon grew even more prevalent in the early 2020s, leading to the opening of Yesterday Vintage in downtown in 2023. Co-owned by four Davis residents, two of which are UC Davis alumni, Yesterday Vintage aimed to create a strong vintage curation of clothes, accessories and jewelry with distinct Davis charm. Co-owner Michaela Landers explained what makes their shop different from other vintage spots.
“Aside from our unique curation, organization and competitive prices, all four co-owners live in Davis and operate the store together,” Landers said. “This is our community. Whenever you stop by you will be met by one of us, and we will be excited to chat with you, get to know you and ultimately help you however we can.”
Another distinct part of Yesterday Vintage is their large array of rare vintage finds. Landers shared how Yesterday Vintage acquires their one-of-a-kind inventory.
“We get a lot of our clothing through means that the general public does not have access to, such as wholesalers or people who used to have stores 20 or more years ago and held on to their product,” Lander said.
By working with these previous wholesalers and stores, Yesterday Vintage collects inaccessible vintage clothing and makes it accessible for the consumer. So, if you’re looking for distinct vintage finds with personal help, Yesterday Vintage is worth paying a visit.
While vintage and thrift shops have taken over Downtown Davis, UC Davis also hosts a unique secondhand store, Aggie Reuse, where everything is free. Located in the Memorial Union, Aggie Reuse is entirely student-run by the Associated Students, University of California Davis (ASUCD), and is fueled by donations. The store offers a wide range of clothing with a quickly cycling inventory. Hazel Mae, a second-year biological sciences major, explained the usefulness of the shop.
“It’s great having a resource like this on campus,” Mae said. “Students can pop in to browse and get clothes they need without worrying about the cost. I hope the shop grows even bigger to house more donations and help more students in coming years.”
The shop also partners with many local organizations, including Hope Davis and the UC Davis Career Center. If you’re looking for some new clothes at no cost, stop by the Aggie Reuse Store for accessible and unique finds.
In the end, there’s no shortage of vintage and thrift stores in Davis. Each one offers different collections, products and aesthetics — so go thrift away.
Written By: Gia Loomis — city@theaggie.org
