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Fashion and culture come together at Commodities in the heart of downtown Arlington.<\/p>\n
Brandon Avaroa, owner and founder of Commodities, said he wanted to create a space for people to connect through culture and fashion.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe name Commodities is a shorter term of what our original name was and still is, The Culture Commodities,\u201d Avaroa said. \u201cThese are all commodities to us within our culture\u2014 sneakers, vintage.\u201d<\/p>\n
One dream leads to another<\/p>\n
Having started originally sourcing sneakers, Avaroa was inspired to open a vintage shop right in the heart of downtown.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe love of finding and sourcing sneakers led to wanting to open a boutique, specifically in the downtown area, since there was nothing here at the time,\u201d Avaroa said. \u201cWe started the business in 2020 doing pop-ups and conventions and officially opened the store Dec. 17, 2022.\u201d<\/p>\n
The store is located at 200 E. Abram St., #130.<\/p>\n
The origin of Commodities is a product of a passion project that turned into a full-time business.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt started as a side hustle I was doing when I was working full time,\u201d Avaroa said. \u201cNow we\u2019re here six days a week.\u201d<\/p>\n
Commodities is a one stop shop for many pieces, such as clothing, shoes and accessories. Avaroa and the Commodities team take pride in sourcing top pieces for the shop.<\/p>\n
Pieces are broadly sourced<\/p>\n
Some pieces come in store, we\u2019ll thrift, we\u2019ll bulk buy and we come across other curators within this community,\u201d Avaroa said. \u201cSometimes we find original owners that need the funds for something else\u2014 we\u2019ll find those guys and they\u2019ll sell us their whole collection whether its sneakers or vintage.\u201d<\/p>\n
Commodities is not only home to vintage staples but also its own original pieces.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe way I see it, vintage, street wear and sneakers all go hand in hand,\u201d Avaroa said. \u201cFor us, it\u2019s not only taking that but surrounding it around our own brand, and that\u2019s where the Commodities T-shirts come in. \u201cWe\u2019re growing into different things, we\u2019re getting into cut and sew now so we have a couple items we\u2019re gonna test with the community.\u201d<\/p>\n
Avaroa said he understands that people view their clothing as extensions and markers of who they are.<\/p>\n
\u201cIdentity. That\u2019s what fashion is to me,\u201d Avaroa said. \u201cWhether it\u2019s something newer or something older, it can bring nostalgia, a memory or push you to where you want to go.\u201d<\/p>\n
Clothes reflect what a wearer represents<\/p>\n
Avaroa\u2019s love for fashion has created a space for people to find themselves in his pieces.<\/p>\n
\u201cFashion allows you to identify who you are automatically \u2014 people can look at you and understand what you represent,\u201d Avaroa said.<\/p>\n
Avaroa said his journey of working in hospitality helped him set the foundation for Commodities. At Commodities, the goal isn\u2019t just to sell a product but to build a genuine experience and connection with the local community.<\/p>\n
\u201cRetention of community is super important to us,\u201d Avaroa said.<\/p>\n
With the growing number of local vintage shops, Commodities is driven to set itself apart from the competition through its hospitality and genuine customer connections.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe products going to sell itself, but I want everyone to know is when you walk in, you\u2019re going to feel at home,\u201d Avaroa said. \u201cNot only do we want you to come back just to buy, we want you to come here to connect with us.\u201d<\/p>\n
Editor\u2019s note: This story was syndicated from\u00a0Arlington Sentinel News<\/a>, a student publication at UT-Arlington.<\/p>\n \n\tRelated\n<\/p>\n Fort Worth Report is certified by the Journalism Trust Initiative<\/a> for adhering to standards for ethical journalism.<\/p>\n Republish This Story<\/p>\n
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