b. Resale — Local services in Minneapolis

I love this shop, I love the owner, and I have for more than eight years. I owe easily a third of my closet to this owner and her very well-vetted and fashionable staff. Her approach to ecommerce over Instagram is inspired, the featured artists at the shop are great, the music is always on point, the vibes are always impeccable. The clothes themselves are generally available in a pretty decent size range, though the straight sizes are always going to be most plentiful. Pretty solid masculine fashion selection, though similarly the feminine fashion section in a resale shop is usually going to be more popular. Aisles may be a bit thin for some wider wheelchairs, but most of the pass-through spaces should accommodate most people. The staff are incredibly personable and willing to meet your needs, don't be afraid to ask.

Another local guide said something in a 3-star review about being "basically yelled at" to put on a mask, and I want to address that. At this business, which values equity and inclusion, it's clearly posted that some days and times are specially reserved for different customers purposes or that services change due to different staff capabilities. For example, I've seen them block out time for one-on-one shopping experiences or personal/small party shopping reservations to accommodate different customers; additionally, the shop is only available to buy clothes from potential sellers at certain times to keep staff from getting overwhelmed. When these special events or scheduling idiosyncrasies occur, those periods of time when something unique is happening are clearly posted on signage both online (check their Instagram) and in store. And just like sometimes parts of the store are dedicated to sellers or private buyers, certain times are reserved for people who need those around them to wear masks. That hasn't stopped just because some people are tired of wearing them. If you can't read signage, and one of your hobbies is writing reviews, I can't help you.

Anyway. b resale is great, their Instagram is always a delight, selling with them has always felt fair, and the pieces i've gotten there have been worth every penny. As of the date of writing this (early March of 2024) they've recently fallen victim to some vandalism that they've openly discussed dealing with and proceeding from on their Instagram. They could definitely use some community love, so go...

This store pays better than most for clothing. I also like that it is Queer. If you look at their about info, it says that they wanted to create a space where people can just “b themselves.” What’s odd is that they have this vibe of pointed unfriendliness. I totally support their not putting on some forced, inauthentic customer service show. But not even being greeted when you walk in the door—even after you have said hello to them—feels weird and lonely. Being treated like a fool for having screwed up your appointment time feels awful and embarrassing. That all seems counter to their mission. A lot of trans/queer folks struggle with feeling isolated. We struggle with disproportionate trauma and disproportionate neurodivergence. Someone could walk in that door having just lost their cat, having just been cut off by their family, having just lost their job. Taking a moment to connect with them as a human could really help. It is not exaggerating to say that a positive micro interaction in a store like that could save someone. There have been periods of my own life in which the only human contact I had in days was someone at a retail store; there were people who really made a difference in my life by being briefly kind. I am an old, white trans guy who passes for cis, and my best guess is that I may be treated extra dismissively because I look like an old white cis dude. That’s fair, except that’s not what I am. Not everyone is going to “b themselves” in an overt way. We’re all giant queer weirdos until proven otherwise, and I think in a space that advertises itself as queer, it could be really helpful to consider letting your patrons, many of whom probably feel or have felt invisible, know that you at least literally see them. Long-ass review, but that’s my little take on the deal for...

My number one spot to sell and shop secondhand. I’ve stopped going to other resellers because b.resale buys more from me than other resale shops - you do have to make an appointment on their website which is about two weeks in advance but it’s worth it. They have a great selection of actual vintage, local makers, and pre loved items. They’re queer, poc, and immunocompromised inclusive, feature pop ups with local creators, and give back to the community - there’s a free bin outside that you can donate your unsold items to for people in need. They also have an Instagram where they make cute outfits of their products that you can buy direct from and pickup in store. Don’t listen to the other reviews that say the workers aren’t nice - they don’t owe you kindness, they’re just doing their job and they’re great at it! I’ve never had a bad experience here, i always swing by when I’m in the area, even when I have nothing to sell. I could sing my praises all day, I just love this...