The vibrant energy of The Drag welcomes its newest addition: 2nd Street. The establishment opened its doors on Oct. 5, bringing sustainable fashion right across campus for students.

2nd Street boasts over 700 stores in Japan and 42 locations across the United States. The Japan-based buy-and-sell company specializes in authentic luxury and vintage clothing. The shop offers a carefully curated selection of handpicked, gently-used pieces, promoting eco-friendly fashion and reducing waste. The store provides students with an accessible option for participating in sustainable shopping and reflects a growing awareness of the fast fashion crisis.

Nutrition junior Jaretzy Cavazos, said she felt drawn to 2nd Street by the growing popularity of thrifting.

Placed between Dollar Slice Club and Potbelly, the shop’s location on The Drag often catches students’ attention as they pass by between classes, leading to spontaneous visits and great finds. 

“Most people who come in are just coming in because they just saw it,” said assistant store manager Hansford Tew. “They just happened to walk past it. Lots of students, for sure, which has been fun.”

This unexpected foot traffic creates an energetic atmosphere in the store as new shoppers discover the unique offerings. Tew said the job proves to be fast-paced and demanding, but the connections he builds and the opportunity to work with diverse clothing pieces make it fulfilling.

“If you’re really passionate about clothing or design, getting to be around all these different pieces, getting to try things on and maybe even take some things home, it’s just great,” Tew said.

The West Campus area has fostered a big market for thrift stores in recent years with multiple successful locations within student walking distance on Guadalupe Street, such as Pavement and Buffalo Exchange. Tong Xin, an information studies freshman, said she finds joy in the social aspects of thrifting.  

“Austin has lots of thrift stores that (my friends and I) can hang out at,” Xin said. “It’s pretty huge, and that’s how I spend my time with them. We pick outfits for each other.”

Xin’s collaborative approach to thrifting not only strengthens friendships but also fosters creativity and self-expression among students. Tew said this spirit of creativity thrives at 2nd Street.

“UT has a great program for apparel design, as well as apparel merchandising,” Tew said. “I’ve been meeting a lot of those people, and those are some of my favorite customers because they tend to appreciate the wackier, weird things that I also appreciate.” 

This connection between the store and students in creative fields enhances the shopping experience, making it a gathering spot for like-minded individuals. Tew said he encourages more students to get involved by selling their clothes.

“We do buy clothes and we’ve been relatively slow on the buys here, so please bring me your clothes,” Tew said. “I’ll see what I can do with them.” 

By prioritizing sustainable options and community involvement, 2nd Street aligns with a significant shift in fashion consumption that resonates deeply with the Austin area.

“Shopping secondhand isn’t just financially beneficial for an individual,” Tew said. “It’s also beneficial to an entire community.”