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

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.