In 2013, West Virginia native Cole Gilbert started shopping secondhand. Focusing mostly on clothing and reselling shoes on the side, he collected anything and everything vintage he could.
Twelve years later, he and business partner, Montana Blake, have turned his collection into a popular vintage storefront in Athens named Shop CGI.
The store, which opened in September 2024 on East State Street, recently made the move uptown because its previous location was over a 30-minute walk away from campus.
Shop CGI reopened its doors to the public on Aug. 13.
Gilbert said the West Union Street location allows for easier travel, something he was searching for when relocating.
“We just wanted to be a little closer to campus,” Gilbert said. “Just being (within) walking distance certainly helps.”
Three weeks after opening, Gilbert said he could not be happier with the success of the new location.
“It has been so busy and so much fun,” Gilbert said. “There’s been a lot of support from the community.”
From brands including Carhartt, Harley-Davidson and NASCAR, to band T-shirts and retro sports jerseys, Shop CGI offers high quality secondhand clothing at an affordable price. The store also encourages shoppers to bring in their own thrift finds to trade for cash or store credit.
“There’s not too much in here over $30, which is pretty cool and affordable for students,” Gilbert said. “We have a two for $15 section, and then T-shirts range from $15 to $25.”
Shop CGI also has a section for those who love streetwear, a casual yet high-end style popularized by skateboarding and hip-hop enthusiasts. Brands including Essentials, Golf Wang and Supreme are included in the section.
Gilbert also streams music videos from the '80s, '90s and early 2000s on an endless loop at the front of the shop, tying into the store’s vintage theme. Mirrors for photo opportunities, chairs to relax in and functioning arcade machines are strewn around the store.
Braden Topf, a sophomore studying environmental science and sustainability, said he appreciates how Shop CGI is in his price range, which can be hard to find when shopping vintage.
“It’s not as expensive as some other thrift stores I’ve been to,” he said. “They have some cheaper options you can pick from.”
Jack Perry, a junior studying strategic leadership and management, said he enjoys how Shop CGI brings together a neighborhood of shoppers who all love the same thing.
“It feels like there’s a belonging when you walk in there,” he said. "You should always support your local shops, especially if there's a former Bobcat who owns it, that's extremely important.”
Gilbert said he wants to stay in Athens but plans to expand the brand into other parts of Ohio.
“I’d like to open something up in Cleveland (or) Columbus and have multiple locations within the next couple of years,” he said. “I think we’re definitely on the way to do so, which is pretty exciting.”
Shop CGI is open this semester from Wednesday to Sunday noon to 6 p.m. and offers a 10% discount for all OU students and alumni.
“We’re always looking for clothing and we have had a lot of support from the community,” said Gilbert. “So I just want to say thank you. It’s been awesome.”
