Overview
Walking down Washington Street of Iowa City’s Downtown, it is hard to miss the red neon lights in the windows of “RAGSTOCK.” The cool outfits in the window illuminated by the lights lure customers in. As we descended the stairs into the store, we were immediately met with a vibrant array of vintage tees, fur coats, holographic accessories, patterned bodysuits, 80’s jackets, and so much more. The impressive variety of designs and styles assured us that anyone could find a treasure here.
One of the most interesting aspects of Ragstock is what they call “recycled fashion.” Half of the store’s merchandise is new while the other half is second-hand. According to Delaney, their recycled clothing racks are the most popular among customers, specifically recycled denim, and crew neck sweatshirts. Because the clothing is thrifted, customers can purchase brand names such as Levi’s and American Eagle at great discounted prices. The wide array of thrifted clothing at Ragstock also positively impacts the environment, allowing customers to step away from problematic fast fashion while still expressing themselves on a budget.
History
Founded in Minneapolis, Minnesota, in 1954, Ragstock is one of America’s longest-running retailers of vintage and recycled clothing. Ragstock also carries affordable new clothing and accessories both online and in its forty-two retail locations around the Midwest, Texas, and Colorado. Other locations in Iowa include Coralville, Davenport, Ames, and West Des Moines.
The Iowa City location opened in the 1970s and has long been a part of this town’s history. As a result, the store attracts people of all different age groups. Older crowds shop at Ragstock for nostalgia, while younger crowds are attracted to the vintage, unconventional fashion. The diverse styles of clothing cater to a wide audience of both loyal and first-time customers. When asked what her best advice is for new shoppers, the store’s manager Delaney’s simple yet encouraging reply alludes to the staff’s friendly nature, “Ask questions. There are so many things here that you can easily get lost.”
Covid Protocol
The Covid-19 pandemic put Ragstock in undoubtedly tough times, causing them to shut down for the majority of 2020. However, as positive cases have dropped, they have welcomed customers back once again, and business has bounced back to normal. Recently, they have even lifted their mask and social distancing mandates. The store has also reopened multiple fitting rooms for customers to try on their funky finds. Currently, they are paying close attention to Delta variant trends, which could lead them to reinstate their mask mandate. Nonetheless, Ragstock continues to offer its services online on its website.
Closing Thoughts
Overall, we really enjoyed our experience at Ragstock. The staff was friendly and laid-back, even encouraging us to check out their upcoming Halloween collection. Also, the bulletin board at the entrance of the store is available for anyone to promote an activity or event. We are sure that this will not be our last trip to Iowa City’s Ragstock.
Hours: Mon-Thur: 10am-7pm, Fri-Sat 10am-8pm, Sun 12pm-6pm.
319-338-0553
Primetime Iowa City Guide 
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