Exploring Life & Business with Christian Roach of Same Old Same Old Vintage

Today we’d like to introduce you to Christian Roach

Hi Christian, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
Vintage clothing has been a part of our story from the start. One of our first dates was a day of shopping for vintage clothing when we lived in New York City. Maddie (my partner) had never been to any of the vintage stores that I knew and loved in Brooklyn. I showed her what made my style feel so special and individual, and she fell for vintage clothing while we fell for each other.

The idea to open a vintage clothing store was born out of a cross country road trip that Maddie and I took together last summer. We both had lived in New York City for eight years at that point. A fresh start was needed, and we felt renewed after that trip. Being on the road, specifically in the West, opened our minds to the possibilities out there. We knew we wanted to work together, for ourselves, and create a shop that emulated how we felt driving through the Southwest: free, inspired, rebellious, and more connected to one another than ever before.

As for myself, I was longing to return home after spending nearly a decade having little to no time with family and close friends. Seeing that there was a growing vintage scene in downtown Raleigh, it only felt right to join the scene and add a western flare.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The most challenging part was the first leap. It felt really hard to leave our full time jobs not knowing for sure what would be on the other side for us. I walked away from a leadership role at a soon-to-be Michelin star restaurant. Maddie walked away from years of work in the hospitality industry that could easily land herself a management position in the near future.

It took a lot of physical and mental strength to put our store together, especially because it was entirely self-funded. That statement carries extra weight considering that we both come from lower-middle class backgrounds. We were determined to create a business in order to break the cycle of financial struggles that we faced thus far.

The sacrifices we have made have been entirely worth it. Our love for each other and our belief in the vision was absolutely what got us through any challenges that arose.

Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Same Old Same Old Vintage is a vintage clothing shop that sells Denim, Western Wear, Cowboy Boots, Tees, Accessories, and much more. While we specialize in Western flare, we believe in selling something that anyone can wear. S.O.S.O. promotes inclusivity by providing plus sizes and gendering clothes as little as possible. Whether you’re looking to get outfitted or simply want to admire some vintage gems, definitely come check us out.

We believe in creating a true vintage shopping experience – one where anyone can walk in and find a piece that they resonate with. We believe in making vintage clothing accessible through fair pricing and a wide range of sizing.

Our speciality, though, if you really want to know – is undoubtedly our Denim. Our shop provides an extensive range of Levi’s, Wrangler, and other vintage denim classics. You can find these pieces in our “Denim Den”.

Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
Our go-to fits…

Christian: Black Levi’s Denim Cutoff Shirt, Black Levi’s 501, Black Doc Marten Loafers, and my eight ball ring.

Maddie: Black Jordache Western Button Down, Blue Levi’s 501 Shorts, and Brown Cowboy Boots.

Lastly – a big thank you to the small business community of Downtown Raleigh for the warm welcome.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.sameoldsameoldvintage.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shopsosovintage/