The Buffalo Exchange is a fantastic place to shop for holiday clothes.
Artwork by Mia Nogueira
As the years go by and contemporary style shifts and changes like the tides of the sea, it becomes difficult for fashionistas to keep up with the latest fashion and styles. To avoid burning a hole in your pocket when buying clothes for this holiday season, and to avoid all costs of traveling far and wide to find a place where your money won’t be wasted, in the heart of downtown, there is an affordable and stylish alternative that is commonly overlooked by people. The Buffalo Exchange is a trendy little thrift store in Downtown Denver that is a true gem for people looking for some nice thrifty clothes.
At 230 E. 13th avenue in downtown Denver, is the thrifty store that is lauded by students and downtown Denver locals as one of the new hippest places to shop. What started out as a clothing and accessories store in Tucson, Arizona has expanded into an underground chain of thrift stores. It’s a profitable place to shop and it supports the community, as well.
The Buffalo Exchange is unique because it has a system that constantly circulates clothing with customers through exchanges and generous donations. It’s a store that’s not only dedicated to providing one-of-a-kind items for its patrons but it also is dedicated to giving back to the community outside of the regular clientele. It’s not uncommon for shoppers to find a sweater or flannel shirt for 14 dollars, whereas they might buy something similar that runs 40 to 50 dollars at the popular retailers. The recycled fashion at Buffalo is affordable, considering the vast amount of options available. What makes this a great place to shop is the fact that items are constantly fluctuating in and out of the store. Customers have the option to come and trade in clothes or sell them at the front desk for cash or store credit. Being able to barter with the friendly employees of the store makes it a unique shopping experience that is rare among other stores.
By reusing and recycling clothing Buffalo Exchange shows how much they value helping the environment and the community. As long as the clothes turned in are clean and there is no sign of obvious wear and tear, patrons can continue the tradition of exchanging items to keep the store going. Also through the “Tokens for Bags” program, Buffalo offers customers a token instead of a bag for using their service; in turn Buffalo donates five cents to a charity of the customer’s choosing. Buffalo has made around 350,000 dollars for local non-profit organizations. It’s just as rewarding to spend money there as it is to be an employee; the story has an integrity that makes it beneficial to shop for the entire community.
TJ students like Marelle Davey is one of many customers that have a great sense of style and clearly appreciate the deals Buffalo Exchange has to offer. “One of my good friends introduced me to the store at the end of freshman year, and since then it’s a place I visit a lot to find some really cool clothes.” The employees are all very friendly and even though it’s not a business that started in Colorado they treat the store with pride, and value every customer that comes through the door. “I love going there because of the atmosphere, it’s very warm and comfortable, and I genuinely feel welcome every time I walk through the door,” said Davey. After being greeted with a smile at the front door the employees make it a point to make your shopping or browsing experience a great one, and they are more than willing to negotiate good deals with you on exchanges. “It’s such an awesome way to shop, they practically pay you to walk in the door; the deals there are too good to pass up,” said Davey.
If shoppers are interested in finding great deals, especially now during the holiday season, there is no better place than the Buffalo Exchange. Great gifts and great prices are just a few of the things to be found at this unique store.
