S9 Ep2 PRETTY PENNY: Sarah Dunbar has sold vintage since 1998 - on the early days of the buy-sell-trade business, vintage pop-ups in her apartment, and 19 years of her own stores.

S9 Ep2 PRETTY PENNY: Sarah Dunbar has sold vintage since 1998 - on the early days of the buy-sell-trade business, vintage pop-ups in her apartment, and 19 years of her own stores.

Author: Emily Stochl February 3, 2025 Duration: 44:48

On today's show, we're chatting with Sarah, the owner of Pretty Penny Vintage, located in Berkeley California. Sarah started selling vintage in 1998, when she got a job at a busy buy-sell-trade store called Mars Mercantile, which taught her a lot about the business. 

Eventually she held pop-up sales where she sold her own vintage clothing in her apartment, and then in 2006, she opened Pretty Penny with a student loan. She's had multiple locations and iterations of the business throughout its almost 19 year history.

But what remains consistent is her love of her local community. You're gonna love this episode – it's a fun one, so let's dive right in! 

DISCUSSED IN THE EPISODE:

  • [1:46] Thrifting in the 90s in the Washington grunge scene.
  • [5:18] Working at Mars Mercantile in Berkeley in 1998
  • [14:48] Sarah started her first store as a pop-up in her own apartment.
  • [22:40] Real talk about the many challenges of running a small business.
  • [31:51] Pretty Penny's vintage specialities, and how they've changed over the years.

EPISODE MENTIONS: 

LET'S CONNECT: 

SPECIAL THANKS: 

A special thanks goes out to my Patron Insiders – your support makes Pre-Loved Podcast possible!

  • Patty Weber
  • Kathy Brand
  • Lisa of Queenie & Pearl
  • Lucille of Galipette Vintage
  • KT 
  • Lydia Welp
  • Anastacia Banicke of Goods & Provisions
  • Michael A.
  • Megan Morris
  • Jennifer

 


Every week, Emily Stochl invites you into a conversation that goes far beyond the clothing rack. Pre-Loved Podcast with Emily Stochl is built on the idea that every second-hand garment has a past, and that exploring those histories makes our present style more meaningful. Rather than just offering shopping tips, each episode feels like sitting down with a fascinating friend who shares your passion for vintage, digging into the many layers of what it means to wear pre-owned fashion. You’ll hear from a diverse range of guests-from collectors and stylists to entrepreneurs and historians-as they explore not only personal style but also the practicalities of running a resale business, the complexities of the global second-hand market, and the environmental ethos behind choosing used over new. The heart of this podcast lives in those incredible stories: the serendipitous flea market find, the garment that carries a decade of memories, or the simple, powerful act of giving a piece a new life. Emily guides these discussions with genuine curiosity, making each topic accessible whether you're a seasoned thrifter or just curious about sustainable fashion. It’s a thoughtful, engaging look at how what we wear connects to culture, art, beauty, and the kind of mindful consumption that can reshape an industry. Tune in for a fresh perspective that celebrates the character, sustainability, and deep personal connection found in pre-loved fashion.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

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