Changes

American Apparel will be opening in the old Reebok space at 502 State St. This is exciting news for shoppers because of American Apparel’s great selection of basics as well as trend-forward must-haves. American Apparel stores are now located in thirty-one states, including the two sites that are opening in Wisconsin. The second location, in Milwaukee, will be on the city’s east side in Kenilworth Square, off of Prospect Avenue. The brand is based out of Los Angeles.
American Apparel’s stuff for the most part are layerable items like tanks, tees and leggings, spruced up with slimmer, more flattering fits. Their T-shirts are not like the three-pack of Hanes men’s tees you can pick up at Target. Some items are a little … crazy for my taste, like the copper-colored high-waisted leggings and of course, the multicolor bodysuit. Despite some of these off-the-wall items (I don’t know if this store will carry these or these are just online items), I do like American Apparel’s basics: their scoop-neck tanks, T-shirts, tracksuits and polo dresses, all of which I own.
P.S. Please, please, please do not buy this item if they sell it in the store! It’s not 1990 again, people.
American Apparel, 502 State St. 250-8100. americanapparel.net

Have you been to Lou Rags, the vintage store in Verona? If you haven’t, you’d better visit there by July 31. Owner Loura Turner is closing the storefront and offering discounts on her lovely vintage selection. Eventually Turner wants to reopen on the east side of Madison and have her children run the store. Turner is currently (and will continue) selling her lovely vintage items online at luvvintage.com.
Her items are certainly worth the trip though. I spied an exquisite peacock-blue scoop-neck sheath dress with painstaking hand beading all over. The tag read “Made in Hong Kong for the British Crown.” From the ’60s, it was selling for $195. I saw sparkling cocktail rings, Art Deco-esque necklaces, cheery cotton sundresses and a cherry-red Oleg Cassini suit (famous clothier of Jacqueline Kennedy in her First Lady days).
A walk to the back of the store reveals vintage coats, belts and a huge, huge array of every vintage button you could ever want.
“People want things that are made well,” says Turner. “These things are individual and unique.”
Lou Rags, 215 S. Main St., Verona. 848-2747. luvvintage.com

Do you remember the old Kimia Lounge? Well it’s being turned into Utpala Tibetan Rugs, which was formerly a little down the street at 122 State St. I walked by last week and saw work being done on the inside and some rugs already on display.
Utpala Tibetan Rugs, 122 State St. 259-9395.

MoCo Market will be closing Sunday, July 6. Owner Megan Ramey will be moving back to Boston to live with her husband Kyle. Ramey reports in her newsletter that she “wanted to change the way people lived—less car, more life. My head is bursting with ideas regarding urban planning, brand innovation, sustainable business practices and eco-tourism.”
All retail (except Etsy items) will be seventy-five percent off. Ramey is also selling her restaurant supplies like coolers, a freezer and more via silent auction.
MoCo Market, 804 Willimason St. 250-6626.