Regeneration New and Used Clothing

Reduce, reuse, recycle.

It just so happens it doesn’t just work with trash; it also works with clothes.

Regeneration New and Used Clothing in Pleasant Ridge vibes on the fact that their sole base is thanks to all you trendy fashion peeps who take the liberty to do the aforementioned things.

“We wanted to embody recycling and make a fresh name,” says co-owner Melanie Williams, 34, of Ferndale. “The whole generation thing also came into play,” adds co-owner Nicole Freund, 29, of Berkley.

Both ladies knew they wanted a store that honors all styles and sizes.

Regeneration features up-to-date or back-in-the-day finds; all incredibly super-affordable (yes, that means even those who can barely pay their rent can get these fashions -- which do come minus that stereotypical ‘used’ smell) even in today's challenging economy

Gals and guys can get their garments, kicks, lids and accessories at this creative environment or sell those ‘gently worn clothes’ here four days a week for cash or trade.

“We look for current things and we do buy vintage, but there’s an exception to every rule,” says Williams. “It’s styles we know we’ll sell, but it’s tricky because we have to be fairly selective.”

Who are you geared toward?
Nicole Freund: We get a range. There is the common theme of people in their late 20s, but people come in for funky, creative things.

Melanie Williams: We get people who come in looking for deals, unique pieces and different styles, plus a lot of regulars.

How long have you been around now, and why was Regeneration created?
NF: We opened Sept. 15, 2007. There are a lot of places like this out west, but not really here. Since we’ve opened, a lot of shoppers have told us the same. We kept passing this space (between Ferndale and Royal Oak) and it was artistic and thought it was a good place to be.

MW: It jumps out at you on the street, but because everyone drives by, it’s the best location we could have.

What about prices?
MW: Most are between $5-$20. We do have some things, like True Religion jeans, Coach purses or furs, which may be a little more.

And let’s not forget your appearance at the Metromix Encore party. Somehow edgy and eccentric just doesn’t seem to describe some of the clothes used in the fashion show there…
MW: Kelly (Hale Blu) puts on a lot of shows and asked to use us for this one.

NF: The cool part was a lot of basics were in the show, but also crazy, unique and wild pieces, like crinoline skirts, thigh-high platform boots with red laces, sequin pieces, '80s prom dresses, fedoras and anything leopard print.

You definitely seem to push the limits, while still having fun….
MW: We do push the limits and we do have fun. We buy with a sense that these pieces are going to be bought; we have the idea going in they’re going to be sold. So it’s only items from people who sell and we buy, on average, from about 20 to 40 people a day.

So what off-the wall things can we expect next?
MW: Opening another one maybe. I'd definitely like to go back to my old job, too, which was working with the elderly.

We both had other careers beforehand. We want that along with the store, which we also tie into here with donations and giving back. We’re doing something cool and making money doing it so we definitely want to give back.

Regeneration new & used clothing is located at 23700 Woodward Ave, Pleasant Ridge, MI 48069. Phone number is 248-414-7440 or visit myspace.com/shop_regeneration. Hours are Mon-Sat., 11-7 p.m. and Sunday, noon to 5 p.m.