Hello! My Name is Shopgirl Abbey

Come into Revival on a lazy Sunday, and you will meet Shopgirl Abbey, our pithy, hilarious, and sharp-as-a-tack 'Original Shopgirl.' Now a University of Iowa MFA student, she is molding young minds as a teacher in the University art department, while 'Shopgirling' on the weekends. With the store since almost the very beginning, Abbey helped to shape all the things we love about Revival; friendly service, comfortable atmosphere, surprise kitties laying around in pools of scarves.... Oh yes, Shopgirl Abbey is cat-mom to George & Roger, our famous store kitties, and also a bundle of knowledge about Revival's early, Linn Street days.

Name: Abbey

Age: 30

Hometown: Born in Toronto, grade school in Kansas City, high school in Cedar Rapids

When did you start working at Revival? What was the store like at this time?

"Early 2004, I fell in love with the store the first time I walked in. The store was much smaller but still had a good mix of new and used, although much less of new lines etc. We also carried mens as well. I would say the store still has the same look and feel as the old location except its much bigger now. The customer base has expanded greatly but there are always the friendly faces of the older customers that have shopped at Revival from the beginning."

Interests when not Shopgirling: Crosswords, watching documentaries/ reality tv, cooking...

Favorite Designer/Brand: Issey Miyake, BCBG Max Azria, Theory, French Connection

Favorite Fabric: Silk & Cashmere, of course.

Spirit Animal: A Swan-I was told that once.

Song/Band Currently Stuck in Your Head: Wes Montgomery - "The Whitest Boy Alive"

Signature Accessory: My Sperry duck bdoots. So comfortable.

Favorite TV Show: Portlandia, 30 Rock, Sherlock on BBC America

Favorite Drink/Cocktail: Bloody Mary with lots of extras. The best in town is at the Deadwood.

Current Iowa City Eats Flavorite: Basta, Banditos, Leaf Kitchen

What do you Love About Iowa City: Friendly people, good food, change of seasons

Dogs or Cats: Both, but have two cats.

Revival's famous store cats, George & Roger, who modeled for the cat print on our Revival t-shirts and totes. Come and see them sometime, they would be happy to give out a pawtograph. Look for a Shopcat survey on these two dolls very soon!

Current Beauty Product Obsession: Tiger Balm –mint, so soothing! Thymes Sugar Scrub

How would you describe your style? Simple, lots of layering, neutrals, clean lines, geometric patterns

Why, I Could NEVER Trade My...Silver Calvin Klein Sky High Pumps

Why, Shopgirl Anna could never trade her silver Calvin Klein Pumps!

"I hustled these BOMB silver Calvin Klein pumps from my tres chic former roommate a couple of years ago as payment for selling some of her clothes on Ebay (sadly, there was no Revival in Brooklyn). They are an automatic good time, and I swear my legs grow two feet when I put them on. There is a beautiful scratch on the toe from dancing too well at my cousin's champagne fueled wedding."

We would LOVE to see the special items you could never part with. Email us your NEVER trade-ables at info@revivaliowacity.com and we will post them!

Not sure what we are talking about? Here is a little more info on Revival's trade system:

We Shopgirls are students, artists, moms, educators...you know...professions not usually associated with Scrooge McDuck size moneybags. How do we afford to feed our ever-changing fashion fix, you ask? Many of you Iowa City ladies know the answer.

Trade is the answer. We chase our silky, vintage, high-end shoe, must-have accessory dragons with trade.

Here at Revival, we do not just sell clothes. Almost every day we buy, buy, buy clothes to add to our eclectic inventory. In fact, a good portion of our day is taken up by 'doing sorts;' what we call reviewing the potential merchandise customers like you bring in to sell.

Click here for a full explanation of our policies. Please be kind to us guys, we try real hard not be those Rock'n'Rose types. Although we would like take all your clothes, but we often just can't. Our selections are based on condition, season, and, most importantly, current store inventory.

Unlike many other consignment stores, Revival offers three options of payment for selling clothes- one of these being 'trade,' or store credit at Revival. Tax free and usable for up to a year, trade is a key component in a resourceful, fashion lovers revolving wardrobe. Trade is financially nifty, green, and plain good sense!

But sometimes, no matter the new item siren call, there are just certain special items that can never be traded...the beloved, the one-of-a-kind, sentimental, or simply the greatest find ever. Send us yours! We wanna know!

xoxo-Shopgirl A

Hello! My Name is Shopgirl Sam

A little bit quiet and a whole bunch hilarious is our Shopgirl Sam. Wife and mother of the adorable sprite Margot, Sam has resellin' it at Revival since 2009. While she leaves us every so often to jet to some new exotic locale, she always comes back! Soon we will have to say goodbye once again as she wanders off to Paris for a stretch. Life sure is tough...

Name: Sam

Age: 31

Hometown: Cedar Rapids, IA

Style Icon: My Grandma Blanche.

I don't have a picture of my grandma here, which is unfortunate, because she was gorgeous back in her day. She had deep red curls and was always dressed really well---- a very classic, classy lady. She would wear maybe a black cashmere cardigan with some pearls and nice pants (you know, the 50's style). She would also be a bit daring at times; for example, wearing a backless dress to my dad's second wedding. Perfect rain boots and rain coats and umbrellas...bright pink lipstick (like what's hot right now :-).

(***author's note: we love Sam's description of her Grandma Blanche, and are also bummed there is no pic of this chic lady!)

Favorite Color: Navy Blue

Spirit Animal: Swan

Song/Band Currently Stuck in Your Head: “Mama's Eyes” by Justin Townes Earle, “vcr” by The XX, and “Les Champs-Elysees” by Joe Dassin (for SOME inexplicable reason).

Signature Accessory: My gold wedding ring

Current Iowa City Eats Flavorite: Banditos and Her Soup Kitchen

What do you Love About Iowa City: Strong community and music scene, and the amount of unique local businesses.

Dogs or Cats: Cats

Favorite TV Show: Portlandia & Storage Wars

Favorite Drink/Cocktail: A nice-tasting ale or red wine (also nice-tasting). I think Bell's Two Hearted Ale is good.

Current Beauty Product Obsession: Sunleaf Naturals Clarysage & Lavender Shampoo and body bar

How would you describe your style? Simple? No...classic.

Hello! My Name is Shopgirl Theresa

(photo by Chris Ford)

She is Revival's Friday & Saturday fix of the romantic; filled to the brim with old-timey kindness and style. Theresa has also been rocking the 'Revival Shopgirl' moniker for years now, and we thank her kindly for letting us borrow it. Part-time childcare provider, part-time animal care provider, and part-time shopgirl, Theresa wears many hats- some are velvet, some feather-festooned, all original...just like our Shopgirl!

Name: Theresa

Age: 29

Hometown: Chillicothe, IL

Style Icon: The sisters of CocoRosie, who, incidentally, are the daughters of an Iowa farmer...

Favorite Fabric: Cotton/silk blends

Favorite Brand/Designer: The second-hand variety

Spirit Animal: Squirrel

Song/Band Currently Stuck in Your Head: Underneath the Mango Tree by Cibelle

Signature Accessory: 1970's Owl Belt (***see the awesomeness above please)

Favorite TV Show: Dr. Who, Game of Thrones, & Portlandia

Favorite Drink/Cocktail: Green tea with Honey, Lemon & Cinnamon OR Aloe Vera Juice

Current Iowa City Eats Fave: Fairgrounds Coffee House & Bakery

What do you Love About Iowa City:

1. I love the unique, uplifting spirit of Iowa City

2. I like all the oddballs

Dogs or Cats: Cats

Current Beauty Product Obsession: Pillow Potion Mist by Aura Cacia

How would you describe your style?: Timelessly Romantic...sigh.......