Cheap Chick Trading Company, a popular thrift store in Green Springs, has announced it will close its doors.
For two years, Cheap Chick has been offering secondhand shoppers great deals on name-brand fashion. The store also offers cross-gender items and clothing.
Read on to learn more about this diverse business.
Meet Bart and Shannon Styes
Even before Cheap Chick opened its doors, Bart and Shannon Styes had the idea in mind.
They had been thinking about it for a little over a decade and finally moved their business to Birmingham.
When they opened in 2022, they grew in popularity due to their inclusive values focused on inclusivity. Not only do they value diversity, but they also believe in recycling and giving back to the community. Their reading aspect helps customers recycle their clothes and receive cash or a store gift card.
“The best thing about my store for me is building community. I love seeing the joy that people feel.”
They can express their fashion sense however they want. This is one of the few stores where you see a piece of clothing in a different department. You can go and try it on. It makes you feel good. You can buy it without feeling like someone is watching you.”
Bart Styes, Co-Owner, Cheap Chick Trading Company
The Cheap Chick team were devastated when the difficult decision was made to close the store. This came after a long period of providing Birmingham with great deals, fashion and retail.
It’s been great to see people. Their reaction to being able to be themselves while shopping is incredible. Being able to collaborate with other people in the community has been equally rewarding.
Whether that means donating a percentage of sales to someone who helps people with mental health issues. It could be fighting homelessness. It could also be supporting a humanitarian society or supporting Magic City. It’s all about acceptance.
Bart Styes, Co-Owner, Cheap Chick Trading Company
The future of saving
Looking for great deals?
Cheap Chick is hosting a huge sale to celebrate its longstanding record of inclusivity, sustainability and acceptance.
Be sure to stop by and grab some deals you don’t want to miss!
Check out some other stores near you that are having huge sales:
- Closure of a gender-neutral thrift store in Five Points South
- Come with us to our new favorite second-hand shop and support a good cause
- 11 Secondhand and consignment shops in the Birmingham area
Although Cheap Chick is coming to an end, owners Bart and Shannon have great future prospects as owners of Wild Roast Café in Bluff Park.
Cheap Chick has left its mark on the world of fashion and sustainability. Their final message for Birmingham? Bart and Shannon urge locals to shop local and give back to the community.
“If you have the choice between a national taco chain and a street taco, choose the street taco. If you have the option to go to the mall instead of a market.
These are your friends and neighbors, but they also impact your community in many ways. There are so many things that – whether it’s a local bar, restaurant or store – do things in your community that a corporate-owned chain would never do. So if you love Birmingham and want Birmingham to be special and unique, support local businesses.
Bart Styes, Owner, Cheap Chick Trading Company
We will miss you, Cheap Chick, and we thank you for giving back to Birmingham!
What was the best item you found on Cheap Chick? Let us know by tagging us @bhamnow.
