Mother Lode: Athens' Newest Sustainable Fashion Shop

Image Courtesy: https://www.instagram.com/motherlodeathens/?hl=en

For the past year, a run-down vacant Dollar General building occupied the space at the intersection of Baxter Street and S. Rocksprings Street. However, a refresh has been given to the space with the opening of Mother Lode. Opening in July, Mother Lode has already substantially impacted the Athens area. In short, it is a community space for vendors and small businesses to sell their products. Most retailers within the space aim to have sustainable focuses and sell vintage, second-hand or handmade items. 

I stepped foot into their newly transformed space for the first time this past week and was thoroughly impressed. Their inventory mix consists of furniture, jewelry, clothing and other general merchandise. As a customer, I could tell that each item was specifically curated to meet the needs of their target market. When I entered the store, my eye was immediately caught by the shimmer of the disco balls on the ledge in front, glimmering from the sunlight seeping in. But with every booth that I entered, I was more and more intrigued by the products they were offering. I loved the layout and concept behind this store because it brings people together. It is a store with 50 booths, each with their own story and own products, all under one roof with the same goal of promoting vintage and maker’s products. 

The special part about Mother Lode is the originality it brings to the Athens community. Many times when I go to shop downtown or in Five Points, I feel that I am looking at the same products over and over again. Particularly in the fall, I understand that the retailers are buying products that fit the market for Athens, but all of the stores end up carrying similar versions of red, black and white skirts, tops, dresses and accessories. What I appreciated about entering Mother Lode is that the items in the store are individualized and are not your run-of-the-mill gameday merchandise. 

Athens is known for its artistic characteristics, and this new store reinforces that trait for our city. Many of the items are handmade and demonstrate the special creative talent of those in Athens. Each item in the space has a story and is helping to promote a more sustainable fashion and retail industry. It is no secret that the fashion and retail industry is one of the most pollutant and wasteful industries in the world. We, as members of the community, can take small steps to influence and promote differences in our world. Opening stores like Mother Lode, where the products are vintage, second-hand and hand-made, helps to enact change in the Athens community.  

This store truly filled a void in Athens, as it provides unique and sustainable merchandise to its customers. I look forward to continuing to shop at Mother Lode and witnessing the impact it has on our community. 

Strike Out,

Hannah King

Editor: Caroline Kostuch

Athens