wenty-four-year-old Stephanie Spiegel single handedly opened up Miami’s first clothing exchange and boutique, Rag Trade, a couple years ago in the growing Design District. Shoppers bring in their freshly laundered garments and hand them over to Steph in return for a store credit, which can immediately be used to make a purchase from Rag Trade’s exchange section. The shop also houses a variety of local, up-and-coming designers’ wares.

Rag Trade filled a very empty niche in the Miami market by offering affordable clothes to fashionable men and women. Funny how no one had ever thought of it before. By going the green route as well (they use old concert flyers as price tags, for example) Stephanie’s shop hit on all the right pressure points (cheap and green) to get people talking about the store. The word of mouth spun out of control and Rag Trade is now a DD staple.

Only, Stephanie has left. But, don’t despair. The friendly guys from Sweat Records are moving in, so it’s not all that bad. Partner Jason Jaminez was one of Steph’s best customers, so when her travel plans got immediate, Jason offered to take Rag’s reigns. The boys won’t be changing things about the shop much. They will be adding on a few new local and international designers, as well as a Sweat Records merchandise section, since their studio is overflowing with the stuff.

The boys plan to keep the green mantra Stephanie adopted for the store, which means it will keep its charm. Go trade in your old cast-offs for some new duds and keep your money to yourself. The grand re-opening occurs this Friday, May 30, 2008. –J.T.


Rag Trade
4600 NE 2nd Ave, ste. 6
Miami, FL
305-758-5862 ext. 5