• the217
• Life
• Best Vintage Store: Dandelion

Related Media

Related Venues

Dandelion »
Address: 9 E. Taylor St. Champaign, IL 61820
Phone: (217) 355-9333
Show on map

Leopard print coat? Check. Patchwork leather jacket? Check plus.

Dandelion, 9 Taylor St. in Champaign, wins this year’s Best Vintage Clothing Shop. For the past 15 years, owner Sara Hudson has been selling new and used vintage clothing to the Champaign-Urbana community.

“Most people are looking for something different that they can’t find at the mall or chain stores,” Hudson said. “They can find it here.”

Hudson said they get their unique apparel directly from their warehouse or while on buying trips. Customers can buy shirts ranging from $5 to $12 and pants for about $10. The store has half-off racks, and some items are marked as low as $2, Hudson said. They also sell accessories such as hats, sunglasses and leg warmers.

Dandelion stands out compared to other vintage stores because of their commitment to what’s stylish in the fashion world today.

“We try to keep up on trends and the current fashion,” Hudson said. Right now, the store is focused on looks from the ’80s and ’90s.

Whether customers are students looking for party costumes or middle-aged adults reliving their glory days, they are not the kind of people spotted shopping at The Gap.

“They are more creative and open-minded,” Hudson said. “They don’t mind looking different from everyone else.”