Resale/consignment shop stocks the latest Austin fashions

Years ago, Kim Walker spent her days driving through Austin looking for resale shops, thrift stores and any other place that sold used or discounted goods so that she could in turn resell them for a profit. It was a routine that grew out of a desire to work less than a full-time schedule while juggling life as a full-time mom.

Four years ago, by then a seasoned bargain hunter, she made the jump to opening her own resale clothing business by creating Persistent Threads. Citing location and convenience (not wanting to drive all over Austin), she set up shop in an area of South Austin where she anticipated there would be plenty of demand.

"I had to figure out a way to make up the money, and I started going to garage sales and thrift stores and estate sales. I was buying things and selling them at other people's resale shops," she said. "I decided that there was a gap in [Southwest Austin] for that type of business."

Walker is a bit of a motley personality: She is a mother, businesswoman, graduate of the University of Texas Plan II Honors Program and a contributing writer to Yahoo! News and Yahoo! OMG, where she writes about everything from celebrity gossip and fashion to politics.

She keeps up with the latest fashion trends in the Austin area, which she will admit are a bit quirky. She said that uniqueness allows her to push the envelope and carry things that she may not have otherwise considered in a different market.

"Austin doesn't have its own particular style," she said. "It's a more casual style; it's a funky casual style. Austinites are not afraid to mix styles in ways that a lot of people would be afraid to. They're bolder in a lot of ways."

Walker said that her traffic has increased lately and that the customers are haggling for every cent they can—something she attributes to a tough economy.

"We serve middle-class people and poor people—people who are on a budget," she said. "It's tough, especially with the economy being what it is right now. We have more customers now, but they're buying less and being more careful what they buy You're not going to make a million dollars doing this—it's not that kind of business," she said. "But it's wonderful to be able to provide an opportunity for women—everyday, average women—to be able to get really nice things."

According to Walker, most places that sell used ladies' clothing are consignment only, but her shop also offers sellers a "buy" option that allows them to sell the clothes directly to the store with the trade-off of reduced compensation. She said that it's something that sets her store apart from other resale clothing businesses, adding that Persistent Threads is not a thrift store.

"What separates us from thrift stores like Goodwill is that we carefully examine every item," she said. "Everything has to be clean. It has to be in perfect condition with no damage. It has to be a currently desirable style."

The modest boutique moved to a new location in November 2011. Walker said the business has allowed her to spend time with family and do simple things like pick up her children from school, all while still running a successful business.

Persistent Threads, 6340 W. Hwy. 290, 301-2220, www.freewebs.com/persistentthreads/