We had the good fortune of connecting with Lena Richardson and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Lena, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?As an avid thrifter my entire life, and having attended four years of fashion school, I figured that opening my own secondhand boutique fit the bill. The original idea behind the store was a rave-centric thrift store that would allow people to buy, sell and trade their pre-loved ravewear. It’s the type of attire that is usually quite overpriced, consumers rarely wear it more than once, and there are little to no places to trade it in for a fair price. Enter, Trunkshop Apparel!
Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.As a business owner in Long Beach, California, I wholeheartedly embrace this spectacular community and feel truly blessed to have found it and been able to call it home. Originally from Brooklyn, New York, I do believe that growing up there prepared me for almost any situation and very much helped me to be an open-minded, experienced and well-rounded human being. It also makes me extra appreciative of the beautiful city where I reside now and where I’ve birthed my lovely thrift shop baby, Trunkshop. I don’t think it would have ever happened in Brooklyn, to be completely fair!
If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?Long Beach is such a treat, especially for those who know nothing about it! It has such a wonderfully relaxed vibe, but is still filled with tons of versatility, culture and fun.
One of my favorite things about the city is Yogalution free yoga at Bluff Park daily at 11am! I would definitely recommend starting the day off here, then venturing for a walk/skate/bike ride along the beach or grabbing a juice or smoothie from TruNature or Salud.
The Long Beach museum of Art is also just a short stroll from Bluff Park which is a great place to check out the latest exhibits and they also have a super cute restaurant with an outdoor patio overlooking the beach and ocean.
For later in the day, there are tons of stunning establishments with gorgeous views of the harbor and ocean. Ballast Point and Boathouse on the Bay have the best views and ambiance, in my opinion!
As the nighttime approaches, I’d recommend heading to one of Long Beach’s fab drag shows, as our drag scene is on point and needs to be recognized! The drag community have actually been some of the hugest supporters of Trunkshop Apparel and I’m so delighted and honored.
You honestly cannot go wrong when exploring Long Beach!
Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?I want to dedicate this to my incredible and loving partner, Jason Lazo as well as my amazing parents, Judy and Dirk Richardson.
It was the love of my life, Jason that truly came up with the idea in the very first place and presented it to me. Over a four hour road trip in Maine last January, we formulated the plan. I couldn’t help but feel silly for not thinking of the notion myself, for it was Jason who initiated the idea. What a brilliant man, I must give the due credit!
My parents, I absolutely have to thank, for firstly giving me the creativity pulsing through my blood via their artistic ways. My mom Judy is a sculptor, an unbelievably intelligent woman and probably my biggest supporter in life. I wouldn’t have been able to open the store without her and her unmounted support, during this time and throughout my entire existence. Love you, Mom!
My dad, Dirk, also incredibly smart and always supportive, was a famous art handler for decades and the best carpenter I know. He built everything inside of Trunkshop Apparel from the displays to the countertop and everything in between. It makes me feel great looking around the shop and knowing that every part was handmade by my own family.
Website: https://www.trunkshopapparel.com
Instagram: @trunkshopapparel
Facebook: TrunkshopApparel
Yelp: Trunkshop Apparel
Other: TikTok: @trunkshopapparel
Image Credits Photographer: Jason Lazo
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