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Not Sorry Goods Grand Opening!

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.

Brands We Love

Brands We Love

We love brands that have the same values and purpose as us. So we decided to feature some awesome brands we found in our new store! Most of these brands we will be carrying are women owned, doing social good and cannot be found on Amazon. We will be carrying small assortments from all the brands listed below. 

   A Shop of Things is a brand based in Nashville, Tennessee and was established in 2015. Their brand values consist of social good, women owned. Everything is made in USA and is not on Amazon. Business owner Mia Calotta makes, packages, emails, and literally does everything else for ASOT from a little room in her home. You can find them on Instagram @shopofthings.

    Sara M Lyons is a southern California-based artist and illustrator. She delights in turning her cute, colorful drawings into whimsical objects with practical application and magical intentions. Her references are as varied as her creations, she's inspired by everything from '90s nostalgia and kawaii culture to the SoCal skate scene, punk rock, the oracular arts, and everything in between. From acrylic hair clips and enamel charms to spirited stickers and scratch-off oracle cards, Sara's world is spirited, thoughtful, and totally one-of-a-kind! Her brand's Instagram is @saramlyons.    

     Wyatt Little is a brand based in Houston, Texas established in 2013. He started off by specializing in creating shoe pots from ceramics. Now he creates all sorts of objects to create holders for plants such as hats, and 90s brick phones. Drawing inspiration from personal sentiments, memories and nostalgia, he creates new objects that confound and delight. This is a eco-friendly, handmade, and social good business. This brand is a small batch, made in USA and can not be found on amazon. Here is his Instagram: @wyatt.little.  

    Rainbow Unicorn Birthday Surprise is woman owned and designed in New York City. This brand creates master boxes full of custom designed accessories. From earring to scrunchies, sunglasses, belts and more, you can find everything you need. Check out their Instagram @rainbowunicornbirthdaysurprise.
    Ash + Chess is a cute stationery company run by a queer and trans power couple Ashley Molesso and Chessie Needham, based out of Richmond, VA. They met on the internet and now they create greeting cards and art prints that are bold, retro color palettes. They often use their artwork to make a political statement. Their company made its debut at the National Stationery Show in May 2017, and since then hundreds retailers throughout the United States, Canada, Europe, and Asia sell their art and stationery. Their values consist of social good and being eco-friendly. You can find them on Instagram @ashandchess.

    Worthwhile Paper is designed in Ypsilanti, Michigan and was established in 2014. Worthwhile Paper is a collection of lively screen printed paper goods for lovers of nature, magic and meaningful design. All of their designs are thoughtfully hand drawn and printed with love, recycled paper & earth-friendly materials in Ypsilanti, Michigan. In every design you will find a a unique blend of nature & minimalism, combining the likes of simple shapes, bold patterns, symbolism, nature, and love. Worthwhile Paper plants one tree for each order in partnership with a non-profit, they use water-screen printing ink and are eco-friendly. Their Instagram handle is @worthwhilepaper.       

 

                       

    Yellow Owl Workshop is designed in San Francisco, California and was established in 2006. Yellow Owl Workshop is a collection of artful, unique goods for creative expression designed by artist & author Christine Schmidt. Notable for its sophisticated yet playful aesthetic, the range of products includes greeting cards, a line of exquisite enamel gold pendants, earrings, lapel pins and rings, socks and craft kits. Though the products are diverse, consistent themes of innovative function, original graphics and bold colors emerge. Each item is expertly crafted with attention to detail, ecological awareness and premium materials. Instagram @yellowowlworkshop

   Que Factory is designed in San Francisco, California and was established in 2016.  In early 2016, the co-founders discovered the unsettling reality of disposable plastic bottles. With the mission to reduce plastic waste by creating a practical and stylish alternative that can be taken anywhere you go, they launched their first product - Que collapsible water bottle. Their goal is to make leading the line in a way that’s convenient, simple and natural. Their Instagram is @quebottle

     Shoot Dope Spot is a brand designed by a native Detroit creative. They carry creative, edgy pop art and for smokers apparel and accessories. We carry their lighters online and will have them in store for purchase as well. Check them out on Instagram @artnuttz.
    ILERA Apothecary is an African inspired plant skincare brand founded in 2015. Some of their best products consist of body butters, night oils and body washes. Their skincare is to help their customers have healthy skin, prevent dry skin, eliminate stretch marks and scarred skin. They excel in social good by having unique partnerships and creating jobs in 3 countries. Instagram @ileraapothecary.
    We are so happy to be carrying these great brands in our new store and online. Check them out!

July 14th is International Non-Binary Day!

July 14th is International Non-Binary Day!
International Non-Binary Day is celebrated on July 14th. This day was made to raise awareness and shine light on those who identify as non-binary. Non-binary describes someone who doesn't claim as man or woman and does not fit into society assigned genders. Recognition for those who don't fall into society's agenda  and represent themselves how they want.

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Cancer Dad Hat Giveaway

Cancer Dad Hat Giveaway

Cancer season is among us!!!!

Cancer season last from June 21 to July 22. Cancers are known for being an overly sensitive sign but they have some really positive traits as well. They are nurturing and motherlike, highly intuitive, compassionate, loyal and protective over the ones they care for the most. Some negative traits that people have on Cancers are that they can be overly sensitive, dramatic and moody. 

One of our co-founders is a cancer, so to celebrate we are doing a GIVEAWAY!!!!

For this zodiac season we are giving away a "cancer not sorry" dad hat!           

How to enter:

You must be following our Instagram page @notsorrygoods.                       

Leave a comment on the giveaway post tagging your favorite cancer ( includes moon, sun and rising) and share the post to your story.

You have one week starting from June 30th to July 8th to enter.                        

PLEASE have your page public so we can DM you if you are the winner.         

United States ONLY.

 

Affirmations - LGBTQ+ community center

Affirmations - LGBTQ+ community center

Affirmations is a LGBTQ+ community center that was founded in 1989, their mission is to provide a welcoming space for everyone to express themselves as they please. All gender identities, sexual expressions and cultures are welcome and can find support, socialize, will feel safe and have unconditional acceptance. Affirmations is more than just a building, they are authentically bringing love, inclusivity, hope and dreams to their youth and seniors.

We are so excited to be teamed up with them & Gathering Coffee Co to donate profits from our Pride goods! Profits will go towards supporting this amazing community center and the great work they do.

Here's a bit of what they do:

Offer resources for the youth like development and leadership programs- where they help mold the youth into becoming young adults with skills such as resume writing , mental health, racism, and much more.

Affirmations Angels is a senior program that help with the needed care of individuals that were affected by the HIV.AIDS crisis in the late 90's. In partnership with SAGE, Affirmations Angels provides non-medical assistance such as transportation, grocery shopping, light meal prep and other daily needs to the often marginalized members of the community. With COVID taking place they have zoom meetings frequently to check in, stay connected and complete grocery deliveries. 

Affirmations also provides support and discussion groups. These are free and intended for anyone who needs support, connection and community. Some of the different groups they have are coming out discussions, disability, gentle yoga, LGBTQ+ parents, mens discussion, LGBTQ+ people of color, and transgender and nonbinary discussions. These are all held virtually at the moment and can be found on their website. 

Other services they have include inclusion training, advocacy and health & wellness. If you are looking to volunteer, support, give or donate to this amazing center that wants to help individuals thrive in life you can do so right on their website under the get involved and support tabs.