Shoppers "Scout" hidden gems in Dundee shop

Omaha may be better known for its steak, as opposed to its “threads,” but there is no doubt this city has style. Local resale, consignment and thrift stores in the greater Omaha area offer one-of-a-kind finds, as well as on-trend pieces.

Dundee store, Scout Dry Goods & Trade is among Omaha’s collection of resale shops and has gained popularity since its doors opened in January 2008.

Tucked away off of Dundee’s historic main street, next to restaurant Pitch Pizzeria, Scout is somewhat of a hidden treasure. Offering clothing items, shoes and accessories for men and women. The shop is full of vintage finds, as well as modern pieces. With unique and affordable items offered, brands such as: American Apparel, J. Crew, Level 99, Gap and Anthropology -as well as products from local designers and artists- are not uncommon pieces to be found on Scout’s racks.

A colorful and warm environment, as well as a friendly staff, create a pleasant shopping experience, achieved by Scout creator and owner, Kelly Newell. With a primary goal to remain environmentally responsible, while providing a lively shop to buy, sell and trade clothes, Newell drew inspiration from her own personal desires to create Scout.

“I wanted a place where I could get nice Banana Republic pants, interesting vintage pieces, alongside great fitting jeans, soft t-shirts and cool shoes, and still be able to save money for my next trip,” she said. 

Travel also played a part in developing Scout.

“My dad traveled all over the world with the military and when he’d come home he’d bring gifts for us from exotic places,” Newell said.  “Perfume from Egypt, tapestries from Venezuela, necklaces from Italy. All the talk about the world made me want to travel.”

World travels didn’t seem to end there. Interesting finds from across the globe have managed to find a home at Scout, as some of the items started out in cities like Amsterdam, New York City and Vancouver, Newell said. “It’s like getting to travel all round the world to great little boutiques without leaving town.”

Being a resale shop, Scout is similar to a consignment store, yet differs in that no appointment is needed when selling or trading garments and the store will buy items outright, giving the seller store credit or cash before they leave.

All products are prescreened so shoppers don’t have to bother with searching through items that are “sub-par,” according to the store’s website.

Wide varieties of reasonably priced products are not the only items found while shopping at Scout. The shop also has their $1 sale every Sunday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., featuring different items every week.

Winner of the “Best of Omaha, Best Consignment Shop 2012” and the 2012 Nebraska Small Business of the Year, Scout has built a strong, local following - but the shops’ fans go beyond Nebraska. Dan Auerbach, lead singer of The Black Keys, shops at Scout when he’s in town, Newell said.

Currently, Scout is buying fall and winter type items for men and women, and they buy every day until 6:30 p.m.