Phase Two has opened for business in Jamestown. From left are Jamestown Mayor Sam Teresi, Julia Tarr, Phase Two owner, and Kevin Sixbey, Chautauqua County Chamber of Commerce director of insurance services. P-J photo by William Mohan

Everything old at Phase Two has a very new flavor for Jamestown.

Upon walking into the store shoppers will find a wide variety of name brand clothing at low prices along with a complete stock of vintage clothing. However, the story of the new shop on Foote Avenue is not the normal course of how a small business tends to begin.

Unlike most businesses, owner Julia Tarr saw a unique opportunity. Whereas most small business owners would have potentially succumbed or consolidated stock for online shopping Tarr did the exact opposite. She opened a business when she saw her online sales begin to increase.

Previously, she enjoyed 10 years of success with her first Phase Two location in Warren, Pa. The new store in Jamestown has been a work in progress since earlier this year.

“We’ve been working on this since February, we opened May 1,” Tarr said.

Tarr has been an online seller for a long time. Yet for all the advances internet distribution offered, she took the radical step to become a brick and mortar store.

“I actually choose to take my online store down because business was so unstable,” Tarr said.

After managing physical stores for more than a decade, she wouldn’t have it any other way.

“I want the brick and mortar,” Tarr said.

She added that in the clothing business there is much more flexibility to having a physical store as well. In particular, she admits her turn around is quicker for the requirements of the garment industry.

“For what I do the brick and mortar I feel is necessary because its a sign of the times and this is a recession-proof type of business because everybody needs food, water and clothing,” Tarr added.

Tarr also said that because of the nature of buying and selling clothes a brick and mortar store is better for the customer. In particular, she cited test fitting.

“There is something about the apparel-related business that people like to try it on and when your buying online it is not the best fit for people,” Tarr said.

The location also fairs well for the section of the city. Tarr took notice of the fact that there was no clothing store on the south side of Jamestown.

“In Jamestown, especially on this end there is no place to buy clothes,” Tarr said.

A Jamestown-based clientele that traveled to Warren and a desire to serve the community also motivated Tarr’s decisions to open the new location. The opening was held at 10 a.m. on Nov. 9.

While Phase Two takes on the appearance of a consignment store, Tarr said there is more than meets the eye. The store is the result of an agreement with her distribution contractors and not just about selling used clothes.

“It’s a partnership with our consigners,” Tarr said.

For the community, consignment is also a economical motive that also serves as a great way to recycle unused products. For every dollar paid on a new piece of clothing, Phase Two pays half of the original price when something is not needed anymore by a consumer.

“The consignment segment is also a very nice component,” Tarr said. “It’s not just about us.”

Tarr also saw opening the store as a need in Jamestown. In particular, she observed the trend for recycling clothing items in the garment industry.

Examples of products carried by Phase Two include London Fog overcoats, fur coats, and jewelry. Men’s, women’s, and children’s clothing are available≥ Vintage clothing is also sold with garments ranging from the 1970s-1990s. All of the products served are brand name clothing and new inventory is always being added. Persons willing to sell for resale only need their items to be in good condition to be accepted.

To learn more about Phase Two, visit them on Facebook or at phasetwoclothing.net, or call 720-4319. Phase Two is located at 815 Foote Ave. in Jamestown. Their hours are from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Phase Two is also located at 342 Pennsylvania Ave. in Warren. Their hours are from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.