New Downtown Consignment Store Has Neat Title And Sells Cool Stuff

Quietly and with out a lot fanfare, a extremely cool new consignment store opened in a constructing in downtown Bangor, appropriately on Small Enterprise Saturday, of all days.

Crimson Rabbit Bazaar is the brainchild of Maine native Cara Oleksyk.

“That is just the start. At present, the consignment books are open and Crimson Rabbit Bazaar is providing classic & trendy attire and equipment for all our bodies. As our stock builds, we plan on bringing a garment district-style pay-by-the-pound choosing space. The goal is to be as economically-inclusive as potential. We additionally need to assist people let go of what’s now not serving them, to allow them to make extra room for issues that convey them pleasure.”

Oleksyk got here to the world of consignment early on in life.

“I grew up part-time on a small farm In Frankfort, ME. My early jobs had been raking blueberries and dealing on an natural farm. Whereas I used to be a scholar at Bangor Excessive College, I joined the Clear Garments Marketing campaign, a global initiative geared in the direction of supporting garment employees. It was as if I used to be loosely conscious of the significance of sustainability lengthy earlier than I understood the observe and [its] implications. “

By way of the years, the realm of downtown Bangor grew to become acquainted stomping grounds for Oleksyk.

“I frequented downtown Bangor companies as a teen. I purchased my first pair of Dickies pants on the Military Surplus Retailer on Primary Road; thrifted my first grunge granny sweater on the Goodwill on the nook of Union and Quick St.; and acquired interested in clothes supplies and kinds at The Grasshopper Store.”

Taking her cues from an older member of her household, Oleksyk began to actually hone her model.

“It was my great-grandmother who impressed my ardour for classic attire, adornments, and residential decor. She was an artist and a instructor and constructed an incredible jewellery and tin assortment. I helped clear out her house when it was time for her to maneuver on. Regardless of the place I lived after that, a number of of her items at all times traveled with me.”

She ventured into the enterprise of promoting her wares after taking a job working for Tracy Monaghan at Metropolitan Soul.

“I began promoting classic clothes within the again room of Metropolitan Soul. Curiously, the store was positioned the place Bangor Sandwich Co. is as we speak, proper downstairs from Crimson Rabbit Bazaar. We expanded to a second location in Orono, and my modest classic clothes enterprise grew as effectively.”

Oleksyk went on to work different jobs, together with managing the boutique & gallery at One Lupine Fiber Arts underneath the mentorship of Jodi Clayton, all whereas attending faculty on the College of Maine in Orono for Sustainable Agriculture.

“Whereas working the classic markets, I’d hear distributors discuss in regards to the challenges of not having the area to showcase objects properly- that flea markets and vintage malls weren’t at all times the optimum websites for promoting outdated attire. It was my pals, the Sohns household from the Rock & Artwork Store, that inspired me to take the following steps and meet the necessity I used to be listening to from distributors.”

“With assist from a number of key individuals, together with Betsy Lundy from the Downtown Enterprise Partnership, I started scouting out areas for a brick & mortar store this previous summer season.”

The Earlier than:

The After:

“With an unimaginable quantity of help from my group of household and pals, and in addition the Metropolis of Bangor itself, I used to be in a position to full the demo and rehab work, buy retail provides, arrange enterprise and consignment accounts, and open a store inside 3 weeks time.”

“I feel Bangor was simply prepared for a used clothes market. I don’t understand how else to clarify it actually.”

Should you’re questioning the way to get into the Crimson Rabbit Bazaar (as a result of I wasn’t positive myself, at first) simply search for their signal! The door is true between the 11 Central Restaurant and The Grind Home. Merely stroll in, up the steps and it is proper subsequent to a store promoting gently used house items.

“I REALLY lucked out with my neighbor, UniKue & OriJinal’s. They home an incredible assortment of distributors promoting preloved home goods, which is an ideal complement to our stock at Crimson Rabbit Bazaar.”

“The 9 Central Road constructing is historic and sadly, doesn’t have a service elevator. It can be crucial that each one individuals who want to store at Crimson Rabbit Bazaar have the chance to take action. Of us are welcome to contact the store with their specs (desired supplies/colours/model, and measurements), and we’ll schedule a dwell digital buying expertise.”

If you wish to understand how the store acquired its identify, effectively, it is sort of cool and complicated,  very very similar to the objects Oleksyk has on the market inside it.

“My first pet was a rabbit. The primary animal conceal I ever preserved was a rabbit. My nickname in my 20s was Rabbit. Rabbits dwell in underground, interconnected tunnel programs referred to as warrens. We’re all interconnected and interdependent. I’m extra in a position to expertise my humanity since you are additionally experiencing your humanity. The pandemic put the reality of interconnection into laser focus.”

“Symbolically, rabbits are thought-about to be Psychopomps, serving as liaisons or guides between planes of existence. Within the huge system of the style trade, companies like Crimson Rabbit Bazaar function exterior of the assembly-line, linear provide chain. We’re right here to assist steward the story of stuff and create extra round economies. It’s not that one modality is best than the opposite although; there’s room for all of it. And there’s additionally room for enchancment and evolution.”

“Crimson is the colour of affection, ardour, and lifeblood. Downtown Bangor is a coronary heart, to not say it’s the solely cultural focus in our metropolis, however it’s the one I really feel most linked to. Crimson Rabbit Bazaar is my alternative to provide again to the downtown group that so freely gave to me.”

Oleksyk says she may have a grand opening subsequent month and invitations everybody to return in and take a look at the newly renovated area.

“Crimson Rabbit Bazaar is celebrating its Grand Opening with an occasion on Friday, December sixteenth, 5-8 PM. We’ll have some specials on stock and in addition characteristic performances by an area classic burlesque troupe with Eye Sweet Studios (our upstairs neighbor).”

“Subsequent yr, we’ll introduce USA-made clothes strains to the racks and in addition launch fundamental stitching restore and darning courses. I imagine we deserve a more in-depth connection to the manufacturing of our items and in addition figuring out the way to prolong the life and use of these objects. Our motto is: collectively, we will scale back the waste stream one outfit at a time… and we will do it in model.”

For the Vacation Season, the Crimson Rabbit Bazaar will likely be open Tuesday via Thursday from 10 AM to six PM, Fridays & Saturdays from 10 AM to 7 PM, and Sundays from 10 AM to 4 PM.

You possibly can name them with questions at (207)573-1744 or e-mail, discover them on Facebook or  them Redrabbitbazaar@gmail.com

Welcome to city, Crimson Rabbit Bazaar.