Bettye Jane’s Fashion Exchange celebrated their one year anniversary at 411 West Walnut, right next to the Acoustic Coffee House, last Wednesday.
Bettye Jane’s sells vintage and used clothes, accessories, shoes, bags and also offers fun miscellaneous items like: “instantly understand modern art breath spray” and “don’t have ugly children gun.”
Bettye Jane’s has a rock ‘n’ roll feel to it and a bit of edge.
“We offer a change from the norm,” said Bettye Jane’s owner Tim Smith (not to be confused with Bucs’ basketball star Smith). “With vintage clothes you can find stuff that is just as cool as what’s being sold at American Eagle or Hollister and it has more character.”
You can find one-of-a-kind vintage clothes for much less than vintage stores charge. “What Bettye Jane’s offers is a one stop place to find some cool stuff,” Smith said. “You could spend a weekend hitting thrift stores and maybe find that special something or you could come here and have it already picked through for you.”
Shopper Nina Williamson said “I love the huge selection, there are so many colors and patterns, and there are things you can find there that you won’t see anywhere else. The store offers a very comfortable and artsy atmosphere.”
Smith moved from Portland, Ore., in August 2001 and had been thinking about opening a clothing store, but his struggle with alcoholism kept him from doing so. After becoming sober, Smith decided he wanted to take opening a store seriously.
He knew he did not want to have to work for anyone else. “I just wanted to survive and so far I’ve survived for a year,” he said.
This April, Smith will have been sober for three years and Bettye Jane’s continues to expand and grow.
Along with selling vintage and used threads, Bettye Jane’s is starting to develop their own line of screen printed T-shirts, hoodies and messenger bags.
One of their first Bettye Jane’s tee designs is actually a green monster Smith’s 6-year-old son, Judah, drew. He hopes to release eight to 10 new designs for spring and summer.
He is also working on an online shop at BettyeJanes.com, which should be up very soon.
In celebration of their first year, Bettye Jane’s is hosting a party/show at the Hideaway on Feb. 24.
Generation of Vipers, The Only, Month Movement (includes former Shape members) and The Wayward will be playing the all ages show at 8 p.m. The doors will open at 7:30 p.m. and admission is $4.
“We’ll be giving away a bunch of free stuff including shirts, stickers and gift certificates for Bettye Jane’s,” Smith said.
To find out about future sales and promotions, check out www.myspace.com/bettyejanes, where you can also listen to the bands playing the anniversary party.

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