Fresh Out

I found out about this last fall, when Fresh Out was on a Unilocal newsletter. The owner Janine (
) holds a 3-​day sale at this address every 6 weeks or so, selling stuff she’s been out getting. You get an e-​mail with the sale dates when you sign up.
If Currentness matters to you, good news: the stuff here aren’t leftovers from last season; they are current ones that she has gone out and bought through her contacts. I don’t know how she manages to sell them so much lower than usual retail.
You have to pay for an annual membership, but you can come in and look first, to see if the stuff here is your type. I found a knit dress that I like, so the membership was added to my bill.
On that first visit, the change rooms were sponsored by Unilocal… they were tall cardboard boxes, but pretty small. I went back for another sale, and they were a lot nicer. Really wide and tall mini-​tents with little lights. It was a lingerie sale, so Janine was thoughtful enough to put a mirror inside each one :)
I’m not sure how new FreshOut is, but the members used to be just on a printed list. Now, there is a numbered membership card. Janine said that starting July, more things will be available with the membership (events joint sponsored by someone else, maybe?)

This place is growing on me. Clothing is for the ladies, but I don’t mind accompanying wifey here as it’s not hectic. It’s easy and laid back. You’re in, you’re out. No line ups. Just the way I like shopping. Tsk, tsk.
You start with trendy clothing and end paying up «industry insider wholesale prices». The catch? You pay $ 25 for an annual membership access to the shopping events. It’s like H&M meets Costco. But the good part is that it’s more of a private event and not a store with a hoard of shoppers vying for the same clothes. There are select styles with limited sizes to ensure not everyone ends up with the same clothing as you while you galavant your way around Vancouver.
Of course not every piece of clothing you see will suit your taste. And that’s a good thing towards exclusivity.
The new changing rooms look chic in the form of 2 tents in black and white draperies adorned with tiny white lights and a white chair at the corner.
Shopping is stress free as they will leave you alone to wander around and try on clothing. And if you feel like being helped or simply chatting, then they’re certainly in on that as well. No pretentions.
Janine, the owner is onto something here. Fresh Out has great potential. I’m just hoping as the business grows and the location expands, the personalized feel is kept intact. So 5 stars for now and here’s hoping for more clothing choices at rock bottom prices.