Shoppers lined the block to visit their vintage clothing store; now they’ve curated a new, larger space in KC’s West Bottoms
August 23, 2024 | Taylor Wilmore
As brothers Thomas and Reade Rex open the doors to their relocated and expanded vintage clothing store this weekend in Kansas City’s West Bottoms, the event will be a culmination of years of hard work, passion, and a shared vision — plus significant customer support and loyalty, they said.
“We’ve always done things together,” said Reade Rex, co-owner of Rex Vintage, “from childhood projects to running this business, it’s something that’s always felt natural for us.”
Rex Vintage clothing shop in the West Bottoms; photo by Taylor Wilmore, Startland News
The duo’s move to the second floor of 1420 W. 13th Terrace — right above antique store Good Ju Ju — marks a milestone for their venture, which quickly outgrew its previous location in Westside. An overwhelming response from customers looking for unique fashion finds turned the quiet corner shop into a destination experience.
“We’re scaling our operation, and really honing in on what we do best,” said Reade.
“We’re excited to be in a much bigger space,” added Thomas Rex. “The last events we had at our old store were so crowded, people were waiting outside just to get in. Now, we can accommodate the same audience, but actually give them room to move around.”
Saturday’s grand opening is expected to feature a DJ, local vendors, and a sale that promises to draw in both new and returning customers, Thomas said, all in a new event space and the storefront upstairs. After the debut event, the brothers plan to use the event space for pop-ups and sales.
“Anyone who’s a fan of our current store will be impressed with this new space,” said Thomas. “We’re hoping to gain a lot of new customers from this grand opening. It’s going to be a good time.”
Click here to follow Rex Vintage on Instagram.
Rex Vintage clothing shop in the West Bottoms; photo by Taylor Wilmore, Startland News
New space, same vintage vibes
Rex Vintage’s new location not only offers more room inside for new upgrades like fitting rooms, but also aligns with the aesthetic for which the brothers’ brand has become known.
Raw brick walls, wooden beams, and a vintage industrial feel complement the store’s retro vibe.
Reade Rex adjusts a lightbulb ahead of the grand opening for Rex Vintage in the West Bottoms; photo by Taylor Wilmore, Startland News
“This space fits our aesthetic super well,” Reade said. “It’s rough around the edges, just like what we do, but we’re carrying over the same theme from our previous store: minimalist, retro, and always with a unique twist.”
The Rex’s journey to the new space began when they spotted a property listing on Craigslist.
“This space used to be a store called Porcelain Monkey. We took a tour, and we just knew it was the right fit for us,” said Thomas.
Rex Vintage originally began as a passion project during Reade’ high school years, inspired by his mother’s love of antiques and thrift shopping. Thomas joined later to help manage the business side, allowing Reade to focus on curating the one-of-a-kind selection of vintage clothing.
The brothers’ hard work and dedication quickly paid off, with their first store opening in October 2023 and a second location in Lawrence, Kansas, earlier this year.
Thomas Rex, Rex Vintage; photo by Taylor Wilmore, Startland News
Affordable, curated clothes
Entrance to the second-floor The Rex Catalog vintage clothing shop in the West Bottoms; photo by Taylor Wilmore, Startland News
Rex Vintage focuses on affordable, curated vintage items and caters to a niche market within Kansas City, Thomas and Reade said, noting it’s a demographic of consumers that previously wasn’t well served.
“There’s a gap in the market for what we sell,” said Thomas. “There are other vintage stores, but we definitely fit a niche that didn’t exist before. We’re kind of a mix between a thrift store and a vintage store; offering cool, curated items at an affordable price.”
Reade echoed his brother’s sentiment, emphasizing the store’s commitment to providing value.
“Our goal has always been to create a curated thrift store experience — where you can find cool vintage items at an affordable price,” he said. “That’s what people really like, and that’s what we’re continuing to offer in this new space.”
Taylor Wilmore
Taylor Wilmore, hailing from Lee’s Summit, is a dedicated reporter and a recent graduate of the University of Missouri, where she earned her Bachelor’s degree in Journalism. Taylor channels her deep-seated passion for writing and storytelling to create compelling narratives that shed light on the diverse residents of Kansas City.
Prior to her role at Startland News, Taylor made valuable contributions as a reporter for the Columbia Missourian newspaper, where she covered a wide range of community news and higher education stories.
2024 Startups to Watch
stats here
Related Posts on Startland News
Down for donuts: How this team is sweetening Chiefs’ Super Bowl sugar rush with Mr. D’s(fense)
Another return trip to the Super Bowl has Kansas City small businesses joining the Chiefs as behind-the-scenes special teams fueling the Kingdom. For entrepreneur Johnny Chen, the mere taste of victory just a few years ago has multiplied into a box-full of opportunities. “The Chiefs’ success has impacted our sales tremendously,” said Chen, co-owner of…
Spokes Café banks on new downtown coffee spot, cycling operations under same roof as neighboring customers
A new home inside the Commerce Bank Building in downtown Kansas City moves Dan Walsh’s popular coffee shop across the street — and saves him the struggle of finding a different location amid Spokes Café’s pending displacement as a longtime fixture at 10th and Walnut streets. Walsh recently announced the relocation — the artisanal breakfast and…
Three-peat threads: 30+ Super Bowl-bound Chiefs fan fits (haters will say the refs wrote this)
With the Chiefs ready to stand on business in the Big Easy, Kansas City fans — at home or at the big game — will need to dress for the win they want. Here’s how small business owners from across the region stand ready to help them suit up ahead of the Chiefs-Eagles Super Bowl…
How ’bout those cheeeeeese mochis? Korean chicken spot gets into the game with its own head-turning plays
After their decade of conversation got old, three lifelong friends finally achieved their dream of opening a restaurant together, Kue-Jin Hwang shared. Now they’re hoping to capture Chiefs’ fans’ hunger for a three-peat at their Overland Park restaurant. Hwang, Kyoungmin Kim, and Sung Jo — friends for more than 30 years (each represented in the…