Early this summer, I stumbled upon a truck.
At first glance it seemed this was another food truck eager to grace the new and growing Rochester, MN mobile food scene, but upon further inspection…this was a fashion truck. As in, the interior was decked out in racks and shelves with beautiful clothes and accessories.
I was immediately intrigued. I met the owner Chrissy Ries and heard all about her excitement for mobile fashion and her fashion truck. What was even more inspiring is that she only carries fair-trade clothing and Made in the USA garments. Out of this desire to bring socially conscious goods to the Rochester, MN fashion scene…eth’tique was born.
The truck is deceptively roomy and well lit. There is space to browse and the clothes are well-organized. If you’d like to try on, a fitting room has been thoughtfully included in the design of the truck’s interior. Also impressive is Chrissy’s knowledge of each piece of clothing, pair of shoes, hand bag or accessory. I picked up a beautiful woven top and she’s quick to tell me that the piece is completely unique… handmade in Southern Mexico by talented artisans being paid a fair wage. Other pieces, she points out, are made in the USA. This allows you to buy confidently knowing working conditions are above par.
I recently visited Chrissy at her truck to learn a bit more about her fashion truck and what makes it truly unique.
What gave you the idea to start eth’tique Boutique?
I have a passion for social justice and empowering and strengthening families to end the cycle of poverty. I also have a passion for cute clothes. I got the idea of the truck as a way to marry those two passions, contribute to my own family, and fight the cycle of poverty, both locally and internationally.
What sort of background do you have in clothing or retail?
I have zero retail background and the only experience I have in clothing is that I like to dress cute! This has been a brand new adventure for me and a case of discovering a passion and strength of mine later in adulthood.
What makes eth’tique unique?
eth’tique is unique for a few reasons. Number one, our inventory turns over fast so you’ll never know what you’ll find in the truck or how long it will be there. There are also very unique–but still trendy–pieces that are handmade in other countries. You won’t find anything like them anywhere else in town. It is also unique in that we love partnering with fundraising efforts and will give a 10% kick back from a private party to either a hostess or a charity or cause of her choosing. We are also one of the very few “home party” options in which there is no need to clean your house and all of the guests can go home that evening with their purchases.
What are the pros of a mobile fashion truck?
The pros of a mobile fashion truck, from a business owning perspective, are the low overhead and the lesser time involved as compared to a brick and mortar store. This allows me to be more present with my family. From a customer perspective, you get the experience of shopping the truck and knowing that you won’t be buying the same piece of clothing as every woman in town. Also, a mobile truck can come to you as a private party, which is such a fun experience for a group of friends.
Where can we find you if we want to shop?
eth’tique’s main regular location is from 2-6pm on Friday’s at Dwell Local, here in Rochester. Of course, we are also found at many different community events, private parties and some random parking lots, so it’s best to follow us on Facebook to stay up to date!
We are really thrilled with the addition of this fashion truck to Rochester’s growing fashion scene. The clothes and accessories are on point and Chrissy is an amazing #momboss with a fantastic vision. We hope you’ll take the time to check out this fun fashion truck! Don’t forget…eth’tique will come to you! Gather up your friends, contact eth’tique and have a fun evening shopping without even leaving your house. Hostesses receive either 10% of their party’s revenue as credit or 10% of the party revenue as a donation to to a cause or organization of their choice.
