Not Sorry Goods Grand Opening!
Not Sorry Goods Highlights Fashion Transparency & Custom Embroidery Experience with Flagship Store in Downtown Ferndale
Set to open its doors on July 30, the store will feature upcycled apparel & accessories, ethically-sourced goods & a live custom embroidery experience. Imagine walking into a shop with your favorite vintage denim jacket and being able to get it customized on the spot. That’s the retail experience Dy-Min Johnson & Jess Minnick, co-founders of Not Sorry Goods, imagined when they first walked into 22963 Woodward Ave in Downtown Ferndale to check out the space. “There is this little window from the retail floor that looks into the back work room and when we saw that, we instantly knew this was the kind of transparency we were looking for in our storefront,” says Johnson.
Combining its retail operation & production studio into one unforgettable customer experience, Not Sorry Goods is set to open its doors on July 30. Co-founders Jess Minnick & Dy-Min Johnson are hoping to highlight the need for transparency in the fashion industry as patrons can watch team members work on upcycling & reconstructing vintage garments - a term they lovingly refer to as “creating textile magic.”
In addition to pulling back the curtain on the fashion industry, the store will feature a live embroidery station where patrons can customize their personal items or add a bit of flair to a purchased garment. “The best part of the live embroidery experience is seeing what our customers come up with - it’s really about celebrating their creativity & personal style,” says Minnick.
In addition to eco-friendly apparel, upcycled vintage & accessories, the store will also carry local & national smaller brands that are small-batch, ethically-sourced, women-owned, queer-owned, black & brown owned. Think fun, lighthearted gifts with cheeky affirmations, 90s inspired accessories with bright pops of color, trinkets for the mystical & magical, and of course, products with an unapologetic message.
Prior to the store opening, the brand’s sole retail presence was inside the Rust Belt Market. After 3 years of building traffic and customers to their booth, they were ready to take the plunge and combine their production studio (formerly inside Ponyride Detroit) with a retail store. “Securing a storefront in downtown Ferndale is a dream come true,” says Johnson. “We’ve spent years cultivating relationships in the area with our pop up at Rust Belt and we’re ready to serve the community even further with our permanent location,” she adds.
The brand is well known for its community fundraisers and plans to expand its annual giving this year. “Giving back is integral to our brand DNA and we’re excited to get more involved and help in any way we can,” says Minnick. The brand just completed a Pride fundraiser in which they raised $900 for Affirmations, an LGBTQ+ community center in downtown Ferndale. The brand’s mantra, “Do Good Not Sorry,” underscores their mission - do good things and leave the world a better place. That’s what they intend to do in their new home for years to come.