What his grandpa used to do with furniture, his grandson continues with clothes. Noah Naber is, so to speak, predisposed by family. The 19-year-old has a soft spot for vintage clothing from the 80s and 90s. He has developed a business model from this passion: He sells second-hand fashion at Second Vintage on Nürnberger Straße.
Hanau – He also has an online shop. "I probably inherited my passion for used items," says the Reichelsheim native, recalling how he often accompanied his grandfather when he bought, restored, and sold old furniture.
Naber developed a business idea a year and a half ago, after graduating from the Friedberg Waldorf School with a vocational baccalaureate, based on reusing old but valuable items. "I watched YouTube videos about the big thrift shops, the second-hand stores in the USA. The vintage scene is huge there. That inspired me. Also, because I personally just think the clothes are beautiful. They are unique, washed out, not off the rack, and sustainable."
Naber enjoys hunting for pieces and is delighted when he finds unusual, rare items. He conveys this experience to his customers in the shop by not organizing the clothes by size or color. "People should search, have this experience themselves, and find their very own treasure," he says.
It all started with Naber looking for clothes for himself at flea markets. He usually bought the items without trying them on first. What didn't fit, he sold online. And quickly realized that there was a lot of interest and people were willing to pay more. The idea for an online shop was quickly born. Meanwhile, he mainly sources his goods from textile recyclers, dealers who are mostly unknown to the general public.
The opportunity to try out a real brick-and-mortar store in the Hanau city pop-up store for three months is a dream come true. "My father had heard about it on TV, told me about it, and I immediately applied and quickly got an acceptance," says the young entrepreneur. Now he can present his clothing finds on 200 square meters and says: "I do what I enjoy. Of course, it also has to do with business, but the fun is paramount."
The clothes Naber has on display are at least 20 years old or older. And thus evoke many nostalgic thoughts in those over 40 today. But seniors also find their way to Second Vintage. "It's great, that's exactly what Hanau was missing," says Renate Blumöhr, almost 84 years old and formerly the owner of a large clothing store in the neighborhood. "Noah has items in his assortment that I used to sell myself. Now I see them here again, that's great."
Naber's customers, however, are predominantly people from their teenage years to late 20s. "People have to understand it," say Blumöhr and Naber, referring to the second-hand principle. That's why he has also printed a kind of instruction on one of the wide pillars supporting the shop ceiling. "Think unisex," it says, and: "Be open and creative." So far, the response has been "better than expected." If it stays that way, he would like to extend the lease.
Information online
secondvintage.de
By Kerstin Biehl