Store-ies 16: Highway Robbery Vintage
A visual archive of Pittsburgh retailers & their stories.
What’s the story behind your career, the journey that has led you to where you are today with Highway Robbery Vintage?
I've worked pretty much every retail job in existence. My first job was at Wilson's Leather in the airport (throwback!) and I remember being really thrilled to be making $5.45 an hour. From there I worked my way up, just trying to get better and more challenging jobs while I was a student. I was into working way more than I was ever into school so when Saks Fifth Ave offered me an opportunity to transfer to their Beverly Hills store and work in the Studio Service Department, I dropped out of Kent State. I loved fashion history and wanted to get into the costume design world so it was a great experience. I moved back to Pittsburgh when a family member became ill and got a job at Avalon Exchange through a friend. Working there taught me things that corporate jobs never could have. It was the first time I could picture myself having a shop of my own. I secured a loan and with the help of my friends and family, opened Highway Robbery on September 3rd, 2011. It's been almost 10 years and I'm extremely humbled to still be doing this.
Benefits and challenges of having a store in Pgh?
I think a big benefit is that Pittsburgh isn't too big that we can't get to know our customers. It's important to me that we make an effort to talk to people in the store to find out what they're looking for and what the experience is like for them. It helps us be better.
Over the past few years quite a few new vintage shops have opened around town. That can be challenging. We definitely can't slack on having cool inventory and improving our process.
What is one fashion word that you wish people would stop using?
Not sure that this is considered a fashion word but 'thrift shop'. Thrift shops and vintage shops are not the same thing. I die inside a little when someone walks into my store, picks something up and says 'This is expensive for a thrift store...'. It's mainly because it's not. a. thrift. store. There are a multitude of reasons why they're different. I know people aren't trying to be some kind of way by saying it and I appreciate that shopping for second hand goods in general has become more mainstream, I just wish that people knew how to differentiate.
If you could make a documentary what would it be about?
My DREAM is to make a documentary about the old Kaufmanns store downtown. I'm obsessed with it. The Kaufmann's family story is great. The shopping experience back then was incredible. Nothing we have now compares. The building itself and the way it was merchandised was impeccable. If they ever try to take down that clock...I'm chaining myself to it.
What's your biggest regret?
Not moving into a bigger space sooner. Could have saved myself some serious heartache by getting out of my old building when my instincts were telling me it was time to expand.
If you were gifted $10,000 with no strings attached, how would you use it for the shop?
If I've learned anything over the past couple of years, I know I should put it in the bank for a rainy day in case something crazy happens. I would break a little chunk off to put towards expanding our website though.
Leather or wool?
Leather! But I will wear the absolute itchiest, most gnarly wool thing on the planet if I love it.
What's your next big step for the brand?
I'd like to continue expanding our reworked lines. It's something I've become more interested in as of late. It feeds my creativity and is good for the Earth.
Which fashion designer or muse (dead or alive) would you love to collaborate with?
I really admire work from costume designers like Colleen Atwood and Ruth Carter. Everything they do is so artful. If they allowed me to bring them their coffee, I'd consider that a successful collaboration. Other than that, I like to collaborate with my coworkers and local people who have a handle on their style and preferences and aren't super worried about trends.
