thePULSEBy Emily Kopec
Upon entering the eclectic consignment store Grime ~ which opened its doors in July ~ you’re not sure where to first feast your eyes. There’s a lot of fabulousness going on and you’ll want to take it all in. For a small store, it sure packs a punch.
Women’s and men’s clothes tightly line the walls all the way to the back. And there are shoes and boots…all neatly organized by size. And let’s not forget the handbags and hats. There are also one-of-a kind items like scarves made out of old tee-shirts, earrings made out of vintage fabric, and comic zines. Hanging above all these gems are can’t-miss large pieces of artwork displayed high on the walls, original creations created with neon markers and mixed media. One is a close-up of He-Man with white hair, yellow eyes and snakes slithering around him. Pop art meets vintage?
So who presides over all this delish collection? Meet the simultaneously bubbly and cool Molly McGrath (pictured above), owner of Grime. “One of the best things about having my own business is getting to display my style. When people come in, I want them to be excited! It’s a personal shopping experience. If I wouldn’t wear it or my boyfriend wouldn’t wear it, I won’t carry it.”
Grime carries a variety of styles from retro to modern, new to used, and Molly hand-picks it all ~ soft flannels shirts, cowboy boots, ladylike dresses, striped tanks, and knee-length skirts. “When I started the store, I didn’t want it to just be vintage clothes. Right now, if I think it’s cute I sell it in my store. It doesn’t matter if it’s designer or Old Navy.” And fear not, the prices are very reasonable. Vintage tee-shirts go for as little as $5.
Grime’s clientele consists not only of college kids but people in their 20s, 30s, and beyond looking for something original that doesn’t look like it came from the local mall. Molly shares that the pickiest people are the men, who, it turns out, can be label whores! “They want particular vests, bow ties, and wing tip shoes.”
Molly’s favorite thing to do is ~ you guessed it ~ thrifting. She goes on little “adventures,” as she calls them, mapping out different places to go with her sister. That’s why the store is closed on Wednesdays ~ so she can go hunting for treasures. “Thursday is the best day to come in,” she says with a smile.
An artist herself, Molly supports the Worcester artist community. “If I ever wanted to produce my art and sell it, I’d want a cool venue to sell it. So doing that makes me so happy. Now I just have to find a place to put it!”
It’s obvious Molly is proud of her home away from home. “This is me, I’m the only one here, and I love what I do. I go home feeling good every day.” There’s nothing grime-y about that.
Be sure to visit Grime, located on 100 Grove St., Worcester, in the big brick building. And be sure you’ve got some time to browse, ‘cause you won’t want to leave a single corner, wall, or shelf unexplored!
