The Story · Featured Press
Knoxville's new twist on thrifting.
If you've ever shopped secondhand, you know the drill: hours sifting through racks, hoping to find quality without sacrificing time. One small business new to downtown Knoxville is here to shake up — and smarten — the secondhand shopping scene.
In the heart of Tennessee's Old City, shoppers of all preferences, styles, shapes and sizes can find a treasure trove of coveted items. From the vintage pinup to the festival-goer to the savvy deal-hunter, chances are Chic Vintage has an item (or two… or three) for you. Preserved 80s, 90s and Y2K pieces are neatly arranged alongside contemporary favorites like Anthropologie, Farm Rio, J.Crew, Madewell and Ralph Lauren.
"We have mothers and daughters that come in to shop together, and both of them leave with new pieces they love."— Lee Gallagher, Owner
Husband-and-wife owners Tom and Lee built successful corporate careers — a banking executive and an accountant — before combining their talents in business and fashion to open Chic Vintage. Even the location is intentional: Knoxville restores new life into structures of a time gone by, from warehouses to tobacco factories. Visitors feel that instantly, from well-worn brick walls to vast, light-seeking windows.
Shopping with a purpose.
According to The Roundup, 87% of materials made for clothing end up in incinerators or landfills. As an answer to fast fashion's waste, the ethical fashion market is projected to reach $11.78 billion by 2030. Lee rises to meet that demand — and celebrates the communal spirit of Knoxville's secondhand network, where owners refer customers to one another.
Lee has traveled to fashion meccas like Paris and Amsterdam, sourcing unique pieces — with London next on the list. "There's nothing quite like checking the tag of a garment and seeing, 'Made in Paris.'"
Author: Taylor Schindler, May 2026
