Fargo — Thrift has always been a part of Lauryn Schneider’s life. She fondly remembers visiting Once Upon a Child and the occasional garage sale around the Twin Cities with her grandmother Linda.

She admits that she sometimes thinks, “It would be nice to get something new,” but as she got older, she began to appreciate her thrifty roots.

When it came time to start a business as part of an entrepreneurship class she was taking at North Dakota State University, she decided to put her thrifty skills to work.

Schneider shared his curated thrift store ideas with other team members, and they decided to do it.

The business dissolved after college, but Schneider was convinced he had the idea to succeed.

She chose a new business name and brand and soon began selling used clothing, accessories, and homewares online. It worked so well that she recently realized her dream of opening her brick-and-mortar store in downtown Fargo.

Schneider opens Gatherings Collective at 12 Broadway on July 7th. She chose the name Gatherings because she hopes the store will be a gathering place for people who “love sustainability and save the planet.”

“We named it The Gathering because we truly believe that we as individuals come together around what we love. We want it to be a place where people come together and come together around fun fashion, eclectic pieces and vintage design,” she continued. I was.

Chris Flynn/The Forum

The store offers a wide range of men’s and women’s clothing in a wide range of sizes, as well as a small selection of new and antique homewares and accessories.

Like a boutique, Schneider personally curates what he sells. Her goal is to feature classic works with “a lot of life left”.

“I definitely like the idea of ​​combining boutique-style shopping with affordable second-hand goods,” she said. I love vintage clothes, I love anything vintage.

She accepts donations and donates anything she doesn’t use to other charities and secondhand stores.

Chris Flynn/The Forum

Among the household items she sells are soy candles made by Bobbi Jo and Todd Cody, owners of The Red Silo.

The Gatherings Collective opened in 2014 in the space where The Red Silo first opened. Codys eventually moved across his 12 Broadway halls and continued to operate the store until 2021, when he moved retail operations to his Moorhead Antique Mall. But there was still a studio space in the building, and that was how I met Schneider.

“My first impression of Lauryn was that she is a go-getter. She is definitely passionate about sustainability, providing affordable clothing and vintage homewares to her community and reclaiming landfills. It’s not going to the ground or anyone, it’s the garage or the basement,” said Bobby Joe Cody. “Her passion is the best word to describe her. She knows exactly what she wants and has her mission.”

One of her missions is to inspire people to frugality and sustainability.

“I don’t think you need to sacrifice a good shopping experience or finding good pieces to be thrifty. That’s why I wanted to bring in the boutique aspect,” she said. Anyone who thrifts, whether it’s an individual, looking to be more sustainable, or looking for unique and eclectic creations, wants a clean, fun, safe and welcoming environment. I don’t think you should make any sacrifices.”

She thinks downtown Fargo is the perfect place for a store like hers. One of her reasons for choosing to attend North Dakota State University was downtown Fargo.

“I came here and fell in love with the downtown community,” she said. I wanted to bring something new.This few streets are a mix of different people.A part of it.”

what: Gathering Collective
Where: 12 Broadway, Fargo
contact:

701-969-1742

online:

Gathering Collective.com

time: Tuesday through Saturday from 11am to 7pm.