Scoring Big: Avila senior turns profit reselling vintage clothes

By Sara Wiercinski

Vintage clothing is hot. The Kansas City Chiefs are hot. Combine these passions and you may have a successful business model.

Jackson Conroe would agree.

He is the owner of Martin City Vintage, a web-based clothing resale shop, and also a senior marketing major at Avila University.

Conroe learned to thrift and resell from his mother, who has been selling on eBay for a decade. At first, he looked to thrift stores but now finds most of his inventory at yard sales.

“People hear that I buy old things, and they call me to check it out,” said Conroe.

Martin City Vintage was born in early 2023 out of necessity, when Conroe received a speeding ticket and a hefty fine.

“I sold clothes out of my closet, then thrifted and resold to pay the rest. I was successful and I enjoyed it, so I kept it up.”

Martin City Vintage sells t-shirts, sweatshirts, hoodies, coats, pants, shorts and hats. Conroe estimates 80 percent of sales are vintage sports apparel. Of that group, most are branded Kansas City Chiefs. Band t-shirts are popular, as well as Harley Davidson clothing and other one-of-a-kind items.

So why vintage?

“The old stuff is made better than what’s for sale today,” said Conroe. “Some of these items have been in use for 20, 30 or 40 years. They have more years of wear in them. That’s cool.”

“When considering an item, I think, would I wear this? Would a friend of mine wear this? Clothing is worth what people are willing to pay for it.”

Conroe sells from his website and at occasional pop-up events at River Market. He travels regionally to cities like Manhattan, KS and St. Louis.

Earlier this year, Martin City Vintage established a permanent sales section at Gnarly Hustle, a second-hand clothing store located at 6317 Raytown Road. The partnership was such a success that Gnarly Hussle has since expanded to more commission-based vintage sellers.

“I’m grateful to Pat and Alex [owners of Gnarly Hustle]. They really took a chance on me.”

Conroe designed the Martin City Vintage logo and built the e-commerce website himself. His friend Cameron assists with buying and selling, along with developing content for the vibrant Instagram page.

Conroe taps his Avila University football teammates as models, with photo and video shoots at a local park.

“I’m blessed to be part of a good group of guys who will help me out.”

Vintage is typically defined as 30 or more years old, so Conroe’s finds need alterations sometimes before going on the market. He repairs hems and uses oxy clean to remove stains.

Conroe stores the inventory in his apartment, in “lots of good IKEA shelving.” He estimates that he owns about 1,500 pieces of vintage apparel at the moment.

Vintage t-shirts run $15-$35, with all negotiable prices and free shipping. Conroe sells nationwide and in some cases, internationally. In the nearly two years of his business, profits have steadily grown.

About a third of sales are gifts. “I hear a lot of ‘Oh my dad would love this!’” The shop has “regulars” who get first dibs on certain niche team items.

Conroe, who is originally from Oklahoma City, plans to graduate from Avila in December 2025. He will seek a marketing job in the Kansas City area, while he keeps developing Martin City Vintage.

“I would love to grow a huge social following, and maybe eventually open my own store,” said Conroe. “I’ve always wanted to be an entrepreneur. I have put a lot into this business and am proud of it.”

Learn more about Martin City Vintage at www.martincityvintage.com.