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
‘Food is Medicine’ tech platform shows appetite for growth with new $2.1M seed round
A patient-driven digital platform that empowers lower income Americans living with chronic health conditions to order the diet-specific foods and support they need announced Thursday it has closed a $2.1 million seed investment. The funding for Free From Market — one of Startland News’ Kansas City Startups to Watch in 2023 — allows the company…
Head in the grounds: Why Ben Cloud is the first (and last) hand to touch his evolving coffee brand
Americans drink coffee like water, youth entrepreneur Benjamin Cloud noted, and he’s doing his part to fuel their habit. The recent Shawnee Mission North graduate — inspired by an intro to business class — started Cloud’s Coffee two years ago when he was 15. “I initially thought about coffee because of the size of the…
Yoli Tortilleria, Drastic Measures among 7 local restaurants, bars named James Beard semifinalists
Editor’s note: The following story was originally published by KCUR, Kansas City’s NPR member station, and a fellow member of the KC Media Collective. Click here to read the original story or here to sign up for KCUR’s email newsletter. Kansas City is well represented in the national food competition this year — with The Town Company, Yoli Tortilleria, Drastic Measures and…
Diverse startups are growing in KC, but is equitable funding matching their traction?
Editor’s note: This story was originally published by The Kansas City Beacon, a member of the KC Media Collective, which also includes Startland News, KCUR 89.3, American Public Square, Kansas City PBS/Flatland, and Missouri Business Alert. Click here to read the original story. While Kansas City has ample resources for the growing number of budding entrepreneurs, BIPOC…