Q: Explain your brands for people who may not know you yet. 
A: Garbage Tale Vintage and He Sapa Vintage are two vintage shops in Downtown Rapid City, specializing in curated vintage clothing, home decor, and unique gifts. Our focus is on sustainability and ethical consumption, giving new life to timeless pieces while keeping fashion and design conscious and intentional.

Q: What inspired the start of GTV and how has the shop evolved over the last 3 years?
A: I have always had a passion and love for art, fashion, and environmentalism. Curating vintage pieces became a creative and sustainable way for me to express myself through fashion. I started with an online shop and eventually opened a brick and mortar in Downtown Rapid City.

Garbage Tale Vintage has evolved beyond just offering curated vintage clothing—we now feature local artists, brands, and ethically produced items that align with our values. We’ve become more than just a clothing store; we’ve built a community within our space. Becoming a part of downtown Rapid City has been such an honor, and I am so proud to offer a space where sustainability, environmentalism, fashion, and community come together.

Q: How do you see vintage fashion contributing to a more sustainable world? 
A: Each year, we produce millions of tons of textile waste that ends up in the landfill. We have so many textiles around us, that we do not need to keep producing the vast amount of garments at the unsustainable rate that we have been. The clothing items that are currently getting produced are being made in sweatshops, loaded with plastics and toxic chemicals—and they are just not built to last. Vintage is considered to be any item that is 20 years or older. Vintage and second-hand items allow us to reuse what has already been made. We do not need to keep producing more and more. By shopping vintage, you not only are just reusing an item but sometimes you have to be creative with how you are going to wear and style the piece. Occasionally, there may be a flaw in the item, but I see it as added character. Each piece of clothing, tells a story. Vintage clothing has been able to stand the test of time and, usually, have been made with quality materials. Shopping second-hand often ends up being more affordable than buying new, especially considering the quality you get. It may require a bit more patience to find the perfect piece, but I like to say, “good things take time”. That is where vintage stores become beneficial, we make it easier for our customers to find what they are looking for. 

Q: What tips would you share with people who want to shop more sustainably? 
A: Shop secondhand, educate yourself, be resourceful, and be intentional… sustainability is a creative process and can be fun!  You have the chance to be creative with what you wear, what you eat, and how you live your everyday life. I often think about the process it took to make, grow, or produce the item I am about to consume or want. Once you focus on being sustainable in one aspect of your life, it tends to have a ripple effect in other aspects of your life. 

Q: What first drew you to Breadroot Natural Foods Co-op? 
A: I was drawn to Breadroot because the Co-op prioritizes people over profits. Supporting local has always been important to me and Breadroot makes that easy. At first, I was intimidated by the idea of being a “Member-Owner”, but it was easy and it has its benefits. Being a Member-Owner has allowed me to have a voice in the Co-op, vote who is on the board, and a big bonus is getting a share of the profits at the end of the year. 

Q: Why do you continue to choose to shop the Co-op?
A: I continue to shop at Breadroot Co-op because I feel a genuine connection with my grocery store. Meal planning and grocery shopping is something I look forward to every week, as I love nourishing my body with healthy meals. The foundation of a nutritious meal is clean, high-quality ingredients, and I trust that Breadroot will consistently provide that. The bulk section, which is my personal fav, allows me to maximize my budget while reducing packaging waste. I also follow Breadroot on socials to stay up to date on sales and my favorite “What’s In Season” posts, which help me plan my grocery trips effectively ($$$). I love my Breadroot grocery trips!