Spanky’s Legendary Consignment is closing permanently next month because of pandemic-related revenue loss, ending a 39-year run for the used clothing store.
After hearing about the closure on Wednesday from the store’s Facebook page, many longtime customers have come into the store, at 13503 S.E. Mill Plain Blvd., to see it for the last time.
“It’s been a sad few days,” said owner Rachel Phillips, who bought the store about 12 years ago, when it was located on Main Street in downtown Vancouver. “The business took a hit due to the pandemic. We held on for a year, but it’s just too much bleeding from a financial perspective.”
Customer memories
Among the comments on the Facebook post was long-time shopper Cristin Rigney, who wrote, “I have memories my entire life of shopping at Spankys from picking out clothes joyously as a child to throwing a fit when my mom dragged me to the Main Street location as a teenager. Spankys is literally one of the only businesses in Vancouver that I have an emotional connection to. You all helped me clothe my son when I was poor, you’ve been with me through the physical thick and thin of life and you’re one of the only places to find men’s consignment clothes in Vancouver. You will be very missed and honestly, Spankys being part of the community has made a difference in my life and my ability to provide for my family.”
Phillips said the store will be open until March 12. Those who have their clothes for sale at the store have until Feb. 27 to pick them up, but after that, the clothes will become the property of Spanky’s. The store will then begin some deeper sales to get rid of its merchandise, she said.
“There’s been about 40 years of history here,” she said. “We have people that came here with their grandmas, and now coming as adults or children. We have a lot of sad people. We’re going to miss them. I’m so sad to have to do this to the employees.”
Phillips, who lives in Lake Oswego, Ore., said she will be focusing more of her attention on her store there, called Grapevine Fashion.
Humble beginnings
Spanky’s began as a humble consignment store in a small 900 square-foot house where the Vancouver Community Library now stands, at 311 E Evergreen Blvd.
Sandy Shepherd, co-founder and former owner of Spanky’s, opened the business 39 years ago with two friends, Lee Rafferty and Jan Phillips.
“In 1981, I had my first son,” she said. “I had a friend that had a new baby, and we were going to Portland for a consignment store. We thought, ‘I think Vancouver might need one of these.’ We all saw this little niche, and we took a chance.”
The store gained popularity, and in 1984 moved to 812 Main St. (The Spanky’s sign is still attached to the building).
“We took over the first floor, then the whole building,” she said.
The owners then opened the second store in east Vancouver’s Hearthwood area, grew out of it and then relocated into the location which is now closing. The downtown store closed in 2007 and then in 2009, the owners sold the sole store to Rachel Phillips (no relation to co-founder Jan Phillips).
“It was a very healthy business,” Phillips said. “At that time, I was a stay-at-home mom and ready to start my career. I always dreamed about owning my own business. Spanky’s was for sale, and we were familiar with the store. It was a good fit for me.”
After selling the store, Shepherd told Phillips she’d stay for a year to help with a transition, but Shepherd never left; she’s now the store manager.
“I told Rachel I would stay for a year and help her out,” she said. “Eleven years later, I’m here.”
Shepherd said it “was quite a shock” to hear the store would close, but she’s seen the business dry up since the pandemic. About 50 percent of the clothes that Spanky’s sold before the pandemic was business attire.
“That certainly changed,” she said. “Now, we’re selling more casual things.”
Shepherd has seen a swarm of loyal customers visit the store in the last few days to share their experiences.
“I can’t believe how many people have come in and shared their stories,” she said.
This story was corrected to accurately reflect the dates of relocating the business and the address of the first location.
