Conversations with Kim Sewald

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kim Sewald.

Hi Kim, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I have always been obsessed with vintage clothing, old movies and vintage style. From music to fasion to movies, I’ve always been drawn to the past. I was so lucky when I got my job at the shop. It was in 2002 and I was in college. We used to come into the shop all the time and I fell in love with it! Getting this job was so incredible. The previous owner, Mary was forty years older than me and I learned everything from her. We just lost Mary three weeks ago and that has been tough. I learned so much from her, from the business end to learning about vintage clothes. I worked with her for 16 years and I bought the shop in 2018. I worked so hard and saved and dreamt of owning this dream shop and I did it! I’m in my 24th year in the shop and it’s truly so incredible. I do have the best shop team, but it’s always been me keeping it alive in here. I’m so grateful to protect, preserve and present these incredible vintage pieces that oftentimes have enduring stories.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Oh it’s been a wild ride! You never know what each day can bring. Somedays it’s crazy busy and somedays there can literally be no business at all. Having a brick and mortar shop has been very wonderful because it brings people to you. I like to think of this place as a magical museum, I love when people come in just to look at all the epic pieces of fashion history that come my way. Covid of course was very hard. I was so incredibly lucky to be able to do renovations during the time we were closed. The shop got a full makeover, I got to truly make it mine! I am so grateful for that. We completely emptied the entire shop and had everything redone. New walls, floors, a chandelier! But, I find the biggest struggle to just be never knowing what each day will bring business wise. But each day in here is magical and wild! So much happens in here every day!

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am the sole proprietor of Wear It Again, Sam. We are known for protecting, preserving and presenting the finest and rarest vintage clothing. We specialize in 1970s and before. The shop has been in the same location since 1988 and is one of the oldest and longest withstanding businesses in Old Town, Fort Collins. The shops reputation for preserving vintage clothing is outstanding. Families come to us with generations of beloved and cherished vintage clothing, knowing we will present them and preserve them. We are set apart from others with our expertise in vintage. I have been entrusted with so many beloved pieces, it is truly an honor. Many of these pieces were very expensive when they were first purchased and have been cherished by their original owners for decades, handed down from many generations. We are known for taking care of them and giving them a new life. It is truly an incredible honor.

Risk taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
Purchasing a business is an incredible risk. I did this on my own, not knowing what the future would bring. Again, some days there is no business at all and you take that risk on in such a specialized shop. Dedicating your life to something is scary, but the risk of going all in is so worth it!!!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.shopwearitagainsam.com
• Instagram: WearItAgainSam
• Facebook: Wear It Again, Sam

Image Credits
Alex Baum