The Stockist: Quality Over Quantity

The Stockist

875 E. 900 S.

Mon–Sat: 10 a.m.–7 p.m. | Sun: 11 a.m.–5 p.m.

801.532.3458 | thestockistshop.com

The holiday season is here, and for many of us, with that comes with the pressure of gift shopping for our loved ones—getting something for mom and dad, your brothers and sisters, grandpa and grandma and all your closest friends. Some of us feel so inspired to shop that we even feel the need to get a little trinket for our estranged uncle we hardly ever see and definitely do not talk politics with. And while the instinct is to visit bigger retailers and department stores, there is an abundance of locally owned shops all around Salt Lake City and neighboring areas, among them The Stockist, a modest clothing and apparel store located at 9th and 9th.

Stores like The Stockist are owned by your neighbors, your friends and your family. The benefit of shopping at these businesses is not only supporting your fellow residents, but partaking in a shopping experience marked by a greater attention to detail and more care for its customers, products and where those products come from. The success of these stores often provide their owners’ livelihood, and because of that, they put in more time and effort than any chain or franchise. Not to mention, when you invest in local shops, you’re investing in the future of your own community. It’s like an investment where the returns come as a smile on your neighbor’s face.

Originally named Fresh, The Stockist itself was established in 2009 by Helen and Ian Wade. The store was always meant to sell clothing, but back then, its ideas and direction were a bit underdeveloped and a bit “novice,” as Helen admits. “We were still so wide eyed and unaware,” she says. It took about five years to get under way, and after a rebrand, name change, a move and Ian taking off to NYC for other pursuits, the shop would become The Stockist.

“When you invest in local shops, you’re investing in the future of your own community.”

Today, the store focuses on quality over quantity, not getting hung up on how much they can offer, but the value of what they do. “Starting the shop made me realize [what is] behind the scenes of fashion—and honestly—how much garbage is out there,” Helen says. There is always plenty to sell, but not always plenty worth selling. “The lines [of brands] we [now] stock are independently owned. They focus on holding up strong values in the creation and execution of their lines,” she says. “Our lines are not just run-of-the-mill crap—they are well made, ethically sourced and unique to SLC.”

It’s the what, the how and the where of what they sell that creates the value of The Stockist, and shopping local as a whole. Big department stores will sell you whatever products made from whatever material, quality or not, and they’ll often get it from wherever is cheapest, whether that is ethically sourced or coming from a modern sweatshop. They lack a better attention to detail, and their brands often lack values that would make you want to be a part of their message. “People are becoming more aware of where their clothing is coming from and who is making it,” Helen says. And it’s true—many consumers these days have values that pertain to clothing they wear. They don’t want the run-of-the-mill crap. “I want people to know the items we stock aren’t from some wholesale website where we can mark it up 4x,” she says. “Our clothing is coming from real people [and] independent designers supporting positive change and using their own platforms to educate their clients.”

“Our lines are not just run-of-the-mill crap—they are well made, ethically sourced and unique to SLC.”

The Stockist still primarily focuses on apparel, offering a range of products from more commonly known brands like Converse and RVCA to the lesser-known brands Reigning Champ and Agolde. But it’s also now sellings forms of media like books, jewelry like earrings and necklaces, clothing for kids and even a few items for your apothecary needs. Regardless of what it sells, the message remains the same: quality over quantity.

The Stockist is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m.–7 p.m, and Sundays 11 a.m.–5 p.m. You can also book your own private time online before or after store hours to browse the store’s apparel and products. It also offers curbside pickup, delivery and online orders. But before you do shop at The Stockist, Helen urges you to “wear a mask, wash your hands, stay safe and support local.”