Secondhand News, Maynard’s source for high-quality, all-gender secondhand fashion, is now open at 8 Nason St! The store opened on August 18th, and marks a transition from Raspberry Beret, which operated for nine years at the same location. Secondhand News is owned and managed by Jess Thompson, a long-time employee of Raspberry Beret (and a Maynard resident). 

The store aims to provide Maynard and surrounding towns with reasonably-priced, high-quality secondhand clothes for people of all genders and sizes. Shoppers will find a curated selection of contemporary brands like Madewell, Eileen Fisher, Free People, Banana Republic, Ann Taylor, and more, along with a growing selection of stunning vintage pieces, masculine styles, and extended sizes.

Starting in September, Secondhand News will begin buy/sell/trade appointments. Sellers can make an appointment to sell their items outright (as opposed to a consignment model), or trade for store credit (for a 10% bonus!). Pieces must be in new- to like-new condition, with a maximum of 25 per appointment. Sellers can expect to receive approximately 25%-30% of what the store price will be, depending on the quality, brand, and demand for the piece.

The contemporary fashion industry is, unfortunately, disastrous to the environment and exploitative of the workforce. The numbers are staggering: 100 billion pieces of new clothing are produced every year, and the average American throws away 81 pounds of clothes per year. Shopping secondhand is an effective alternative to buying new, and allows the consumer to vote with their dollar. It supports local business, keeps jobs in the community – and provides a much more enjoyable shopping experience!