2025 Readers’ Choice Awards: Shopping

Unorthodox Vintage

Best Resale Shopping

With more than half of our clothing going into the landfill, it’s never been more important to think about disposal and its impact. And thanks to Unorthodox Vintage, thrifting has never been so inspiring!

Featuring vintage and secondhand clothing, the concept is a collaboration between Alexandria Monet and Julian Jacobs. The owners of She Thrifty (@shethriftyapparel) and Sir Chance’s (@sir_chances) respectively came together to create Unorthodox Vintage — a jewelry box of a downtown Raleigh store filled with glimmering eclectic gems.

About the experience of visiting the self-described neighborhood vintage dealers, Jacobs says, “We want customers to feel like they’re finding pieces instead of buying.”

“Beyond clothing,” says Monet, “we want Unorthodox Vintage to feel like a safe space for creatives and the community. It’s important to us to build relationships and experiences that become a good memory for someone. Through music, education, and events that we house in our intimate location, we plan to be that safe space and fuel our community with love and passion!”

@unorthodoxvintage

Oak City Fibers

Best New Business

From left to right: Alyssa McCain, Glen Lowery (co-owner), Naomi Rhoa, and Ann Brooks; Front center: Chris Bartholow (co-owner)

“I give thanks each and every day for every person that comes and supports me!” says Glen Lowery, owner of Oak City Fibers. “My dream was to build a community of fiber arts folks who come together to share and grow, and to do that I sell yarn — the common thread that brings us all together.”

Those fiber arts folks, Lowery says, “show up and celebrate achievements. They walk in with excitement and pride with their finished items. Seeing the reward on their faces is what encourages me and inspires me to keep going.”

And Lowery has multiple projects going to encourage and inspire customers in return. Technique learning and project-based classes that include items made with knitting and crochet are offered, and trunk shows from independent yarn dyers and bag makers and other events scheduled at Oak City Fibers promote small businesses.

Aware that the same community he shows up for has gifted him right back, Lowery says: “The community of Western Wake has spread the word of my new shop. There has not been one day since opening on November 1, 2023, that there hasn’t been a new customer walk through my doors.”

On being awarded this Readers’ Choice Award, he shares, “I am super excited and so grateful that my dream of owning a local yarn shop has been recognized.”

oakcityfibers.com

More From Our Jan-Feb 2025 Issue

• Out & About in Wake County: January/February 2025
• The Man Behind the Mic
• New Year, New Adventures
• On Trend: Assisted Stretching
• On Trend: Gut Health
• Small Business Spotlight: The Curative Wellness Boutique
• Erica Chats: You: The Biggest Project You’ll Ever Work On!
• Brodeto Feels Like Floating in the Adriatic on a Weeknight
• Pay It Forward: Roots with Purpose
• Celebrated Spirits: Mild Green
• Celebrated Spirits: It Girl
• Garden Adventurer: Seeing Red
• 2025 Readers’ Choice Awards: Restaurants
• 2025 Readers’ Choice Awards: Lifestyle
• 2025 Readers’ Choice Awards: Services
• 2025 Readers’ Choice Awards: Shopping
• 2025 Readers’ Choice Awards