Charlotte clothing rental company Ponybox (our version of Rent the Runway) recently expanded to a consignment/thrift store called Thrift Pony.
The store sells “fun and trendy secondhand and vintage clothing, shoes and accessories,” owner Hellen Moffitt says.
Why it matters: Although Charlotteans are still clamoring for a ZARA (myself included), the overall social consensus is that fast fashion is out. And Moffitt has found an affordable and creative way to keep our closets updated while also producing less waste.
How it works: “Customers can sell gently used clothing to Thrift Pony on consignment,” Moffitt said.
- After the items sell, the consignor gets 50% of the sale price.
- Items will be available both in-store and online.
- Most items will be priced between $5-$40.
Details: Thrift Pony and Ponybox are in the same building at 110 Morningside Drive.
- Thrift Pony is open Tuesday-Friday from 12-7pm and Saturday-Sunday from 12-4pm.
What’s next: Thrift Pony will host sales the first weekend of every month, the next one being March 4.
- Each sale will have a different theme that will be revealed two weeks ahead of time.
Zoom out: The apparel and footwear industry accounts for about 10% of climate impact. Buying clothes, shoes and other secondhand options can significantly reduce fashion’s carbon footprint, as Axios’ Erica Pandey pointed out.
Context: Moffitt’s frustration with shopping led her to create Ponybox, Axios’ Ashley Mahoney wrote in April. “My overall goal is to make [fashion] easy, affordable, and accessible to everyone,” Moffitt told Ashley.
- Ponybox offers several clothing rental options for one or two weeks at a time. Sizes range from XS to 3X and prices range from $10 to $30 per item.
- Less than six months ago, Moffitt opened a brick-and-mortar in Plaza Midwood (located at 1110 Morningside Dr.). Before that, her same-day delivery service, which she operated out of her home, was limited to people within driving distance. The shop allowed for customers to pick up clothes at her studio.
- Recently, Moffitt started hosting secondhand clothing markets at Ponybox. The popularity of the markets is what sparked the idea for Thrift Pony.
“We think this can coexist with the rental side of our business, where you rent a nice dress for a wedding or a fun outfit for a concert and thrift the more everyday items, like denim and vintage t-shirts,” Moffitt said in a press release.
Ponybox is also a great resource for last-minute Halloween costumes. Photo: Laura Barrero/Axios
Go deeper: For more sustainable secondhand options in Charlotte check out these fashion brands, our thrift store guide and these secondhand furniture stores.
Editor’s note: This story was originally published in Nov. 2022 and updated Feb. 2023 to reflect the store’s opening.
Axios Local deputy managing editor Emma Way serves as an unpaid advisor to Ponybox. Emma’s role has no impact on our editorial decisions.
