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FARGO — Saving has always been a part of Lauryn Schneider’s life. She fondly remembers one-child visits and garage sales around the Twin Cities with her grandmother, Linda.
She admits to sometimes thinking, “It would be nice to have something new,” but as she got older, she began to appreciate her thrifty roots.
When it came time to start a business that was part of an entrepreneurship class she was taking at North Dakota State University, she decided to put her savings skills to use.
Schneider shared her idea for a thrift store with her teammates, and they decided to run with it.
When that business took off after college, Schneider was sure she had a winning streak.
She chose a new business name and brand and soon began selling second-hand clothing, accessories and home furnishings online. It’s so good that she recently fulfilled her dream of opening a brick-and-mortar store in downtown Fargo.
Schneider opened the auditorium at 12 Broadway on July 7. She chose the name “The Gathering” because she wanted the store to be a gathering place “for those who love sustainability and saving our planet.”
“I named the gathering because I think we as individuals come together around the things we love, and I want this to be a place where people come together and come together around fun fashion and unique pieces and vintage design,” she continued.
Chris Flynn / Forum
The store sells men’s and women’s clothing in various sizes, as well as a small selection of new and antique furniture and accessories.
Like a boutique, Schneider personally selects what she sells. Her goal is to show classic pieces that have “a lot of life left in them.”
“I definitely like the idea of combining boutique-style shopping with second-hand products at affordable prices,” she says. “I think my love of vintage definitely carries over into what I’m looking for. I love vintage clothing, anything vintage. I love taking vintage pieces and modernizing them and making them fit today.”
She accepts donations and donates anything she doesn’t use to other charities and thrift shops.
Chris Flynn / Forum
Among the furniture she sells are soy candles made by Red Silo owners Bobby Jo and Todd Cody.
The Collection opened in 2014 in the space occupied by the Red Silo. The Codys eventually moved across the hall at 12 Broadway, where they continued to operate their store until moving their retail business to the Moorhead Antique Mall in 2021. However, they still have studio space in the building, and that’s how they met Schneider.
“My impression of Laurie right out of the gate was that she’s a go-getter. She’s definitely passionate about sustainability and providing clothing and antique furniture to the community at affordable prices and not ending up in a landfill or someone’s garage or basement,” Bobby Jo Cody said. “Lovely is probably the best word to describe her. She definitely knows what she wants to do and she has a mission.”
One of her missions is to get others excited about conservation and sustainability.
“I don’t think you have to sacrifice a great shopping experience or find great pieces to save. That’s why I wanted to incorporate the boutique aspect,” she said. “I think anyone who’s struggling — whether they’re low-income or want to be more sustainable or find unique and unique pieces — you don’t have to sacrifice a clean, fun, safe and welcoming environment.
She believes downtown Fargo is the perfect home for a store like hers. One of the reasons she chose to attend North Dakota State University was downtown Fargo.
“I came here and fell in love with the downtown community,” she said. “As I continued to go to school and everything, I fell in love with downtown. I wanted to bring something new to the area. There’s such a mix of people in these few streets and I wanted to be part of it.”
what Collection
Where: 12 Broadway, Fargo
Contact:
701-969-1742
Online
attendees.com
Time: Tuesday to Saturday 11am to 1pm.
Gallery: Take a look around the collection
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