Two Big Blondes Celebrates 25 Years in Business
Seattle, WA - March 1, 2022 - Two Big Blondes Plus Size Consignment is celebrating its 25th Anniversary with special events each week and discounts throughout the month of March.
Long before “size-inclusive” and “sustainable fashion” were retail buzzwords, Two Big Blondes was born out of the realization that Seattle needed more plus-size clothing options. On March 27, 1997 Winnie Smith and Judy Pugh, the original “two big blondes,” opened the shop in a warehouse setting in Georgetown. Customers still recall how refreshing it was to have a shop that focused on clothing that fit them.
As one of, if not the, oldest & largest plus-size resale stores in the country, Two Big Blondes has become an institution in the Seattle area and beyond. While the COVID pandemic has been extremely difficult to navigate, current owner Lisa Michaud is determined not to let the financial impacts close this legacy business. “Especially after two full years of the economic, physical, social & emotional impacts of the COVID pandemic, this 25th Anniversary celebration is really about the community created & nurtured by three generations of Two Big Blondes' owners and sustained through our amazing customers.”
Two Big Blondes is much more than just a store to buy & sell pre-owned clothing. With its focus on plus-size women’s clothing, it offers a welcoming place for people who often have difficulty finding quality items in their size and style at other retail and resale stores.
“Not being able to find your size while out shopping ‘just perpetuates all those messages that you get throughout your life,’ says Two Big Blondes’ owner Lisa Michaud - that, as a fat person, ‘you’re supposed to hide yourself.’”
- The Seattle Met, Fall 2020, “Fat Fashion Won’t be Ignored Any Longer”
In 1999 the two blondes moved the business to its current location at 25th & Jackson in the Central District of Seattle. The location is well known in the community as the home of Frank’s Superette, which anchored the corner of 25th & Jackson for three decades. Many Central District residents & customers still recount running to the store for their parents and eating Frank’s legendary fried rice.
Susan Smith became the second owner of Two Big Blondes in 2007 and quickly expanded the square footage and selection of the store. Current owner, Lisa Michaud, is now in her 10th year of ownership. Having grown up in the Central District, returning to own a business and raise her family in the neighborhood she grew up in was a homecoming. She loves being involved with a local business that honors the history of the Central District and reuniting with old friends in the neighborhood.
The store philosophy is simple: happy customers, a warm inviting place to shop, a comfortable space to embrace the beauty of our bodies, and quality clothes at great prices. With over 4,000 square feet of retail space and over 10,000 items in the store, there is a wide variety of styles – from junior trendy to Sunday best and casual to couture.
Through its affiliated non-profit Seattle Women’s Assistance Fund, Two Big Blondes also provides free clothing to homeless and low-income women from the donations of the unsold items and proceeds from the bag sales.
The environmental impact of fashion has continued to increase in the past 25 years, especially as fast fashion has taken hold of fashion trends. Reusing pre-owned gently and often never used clothing decreases our carbon footprint while offering a wide range of styles & unique pieces to choose from, all while saving money over retail prices. Two Big Blondes is committed to the mission of being a sustainable business, not only through consignment but in all their business practices as an EnviroStar member.
Two Big Blondes invites the community to celebrate with them all month long, starting with their Giant Storewide & Bag Sale the first week of March. They will feature the Spinning Wheel of Deals throughout March with $25 Gift Card prizes and discounts on every purchase.
Special events are planned each Sunday in March including a ‘90s Vintage Market with pop-ups by local plus-size vendors on Sunday, March 13th 12-5pm; Rainbow Bingo with Sylvia O’Stayformore on Sunday, March 20th 12-5pm; and the Anniversary Party with music, art, special discounts, door prizes and special guests on Sunday, March 27th, 12-5pm.
More information will be available on the website www.twobigblondes.com. Lisa can be contacted at info@twobigblondes.com or by phone at 206-762-8620 with further questions.
Additional Resources:
25th Anniversary Website: https://twobigblondes.com/25th/
Giant Storewide & Bag Sale Info: https://twobigblondes.com/0322sale/
History of 2501 S Jackson Street building: https://twobigblondes.com/2501-history/
Seattle Women’s Assistance Fund: https://twobigblondes.com/swaf/
Two Big Blondes’ Environmental Commitment: https://twobigblondes.com/earthday/
The Seattle Met, Fall 2020, “Fat Fashion Won’t be Ignored Any Longer”: https://www.seattlemet.com/style-and-shopping/2020/10/seattle-plus-size-fashion-won-t-be-ignored-any-longer
