In 30 years, Kerstin Block has built Buffalo Exchange into a $29-million-a-year business with more than 25 company stores and franchises around the United States.
The largest and highest grossing store is in Tempe on University Drive, with a $2.5 million revenue goal for this year, according to store officials.
In celebration of the company's 30th anniversary, Block, the company's president, and her husband Spencer are touring Buffalo Exchanges around the country.
Tomorrow, they'll be at the Tempe store.
The Blocks opened a single Tucson storefront in 1973 with a fresh idea for the time: buy, sell and trade new and used clothes directly with store customers.
At first, people reacted hesitantly toward the store, Block said.
In fact, recent trends have brought new and more ecologically minded customers to Buffalo Exchange, Block added.
Sifting through a rack of tops, Erika Cary, a frequent Buffalo Exchange customer and a student at the University of Phoenix, said when she was younger, only thrift stores would carry alternative styles.
But, she said she shops at Buffalo Exchange for the comfortable and distinctive clothes.
But the Tempe store's success depends on more than just retro styles, said John Banks, the store's assistant manager since 2001.
It hinges on keeping up with fashions and selling clothes and apparel people want combined with the large student population and a renewed freshman class nearby each year.
Reach the reporter at ilan.brat@asu.edu.
