What comes around goes around especially in fashion

Christen Carter has passion for vintage fashion and he’s made a business of it.

“Thrifting, vintage clothing has become quite an obsession for me,” said the owner of a unique second-hand store.

The Treaty Vintage Supply located in Saskatoon’s Drinkle Mall is not your average store and that’s all because of Carter.

Depending on the day, customers can expect a personalized tour filled with entertaining stories and musings about items like: a decades old, bootleg Sex Pistols T-shirt; a Harley Davidson clothing collection acquired from a local biker; or the untold mysteries behind a large collection of Indigenous art and nature T-shirts.

 “I started selling at markets, and did amazing,” said Carter “That’s when it hit that vintage clothing really did something for me.”

His obsession into a physical location and opened the doors of his store on June 21.

It’s not just bursting with hand-picked, history-laden t-shirts, but also features crew necks, denim, jorts, jerseys, hats, and sneakers. He also believes he has one of the biggest nature t-shirt collections in the city.

About 400 total pieces currently in his store, said Carter, which regularly get rotated as Carter acquires and curates new collections. Just don’t call them ‘used’.

“Worn to perfection,” said Carter. “I love thrash clothing, I love workwear. Denim that’s been worn with holes. T-shirts that are really sun-faded.”

As a young business owner, some of the pieces in his store likely predate Carter himself, because he’s committed to finding authentic and distinct vintage clothing.

“I’m chronically online,” he said. “I’m always sourcing pieces, always refreshing Facebook Marketplace or (live marketplace app) Whatnot. It’s been a dream to be able to open my own store.”

Carter has always been into fashion.

He started by collecting old heavy metal T-shirts from artists like Ozzy Osborne and the Deftones because it was part of his style but it wasn’t long before it evolved into entrepreneurship.

In early 2024, with his closet and bedroom overflowing from his vintage hauls, he began going to and selling clothes at markets like Dated & Faded, finding immediate success for his eye and style of pieces he was selling.

People began asking when he was going to open his own store so he took the plunge.

“I’ve always wanted to be my own boss,” said Carter. “I’ve always struggled to work at some places – I was always inclined to do my own thing.”

As with any new venture, it takes courage, hard work and sheer determination.

“I’ve put everything I had into this business,” said Carter. “I’m still scared and unsure and learning, but I’m confident in it.”

He has certain philosophies that drive his business. He tries, whenever possible, to source his clothing locally in order to be more sustainable.

“As an Indigenous person, I know how important it is for native people to continue to follow our ways and give back to Mother Earth,” said Carter. “I really believe in people buying second hand than going to the mall. It’s about helping people by shopping locally and saving the earth.”

For customers he wants them to know about the thought and care he puts into each item he selects – unlike some vintage retailers who buy mass quantities from large vintage warehouses in Toronto.

“I don’t run a store like Walmart or Joe Fresh,” said Carter. “It’s a very curated selection. Before I put it on the racks, I go to the laundry mat to make sure everything looks crispy and fresh.”

Carter has both friends and strangers coming into his store, offering to sell him their clothing. He loves the community aspect and practicality of vintage clothing.

And while community is what drives Treaty Supply Vintage, Carter’s own obsession with finding the coolest band tees is still very much alive.

“Some of those old band shirts go for like hundreds of dollars. (Before the store) I was like ‘how am I going to fund this obsession’,” he said. “So this helps me fund some of that, too.”