Roadrunner Vintage: Style and Sustainability in The C+E
The Culture + Entertainment District is a destination that brings together our artistic ambitions, our shared fandom and our entrepreneurial hustle. Once completed, there will be four million square feet of residential, office, and commercial development, and urban living for 8,000 new residents in a safe, walkable area that’s easily accessible from everywhere.
A vibrant retail and food and beverage scene is essential to The C+E vision. Imagine a festival street filled with busy sidewalk cafes and boutiques featuring authentically Calgary wares, condo towers that are home to local coffee shops where residents know the barista by name, and down the block there is a lineup outside a store as one of the world’s largest brands has launched their latest tech gadget. And doors to new businesses will continue to open up as area development ramps up.
This vision builds upon the thriving businesses already in place. The C+E is currently home to a variety of shops and services, from ice cream parlours to yoga studios, social media startups to nightclubs, adding to the vibrancy and excitement of the area.
One such business, Roadrunner Vintage, already calls The District home. Curating Western-style vintage clothing, Roadrunner Vintage is more than just a store—it’s a time capsule, a creative space, a community hub and an outlet for quality pieces and sustainable fashion.
The Birth of Roadrunner Vintage
Ashlee Popowich, the visionary behind Roadrunner Vintage, started the store online as a creative outlet during a time of uncertainty Inspired by the discovery of vintage jeans in her grandmother’s shed, she began crafting a 70s-themed, desert-influenced wardrobe. This humble beginning soon blossomed into a thriving business, with the store opening three years ago in The C+E.
Ashlee’s passion for creativity and community shines through in everything she does. Even with a full-time corporate job in supply chain, Roadrunner Vintage remains a creative outlet and a means to connect with, and build, community which has led to the creation of Honky Tonk Market, Calgary’s biggest western vintage market.
“I am inspired by others who continue to create their own path,” she says. “At Roadrunner, we share our space with these people, and you can often find local, handcrafted creations in-store or other curators creating collections of beautiful clothing. The market is an extension of my passion for building community and providing space for others to explore their small business avenues.”
Stepping back in time
Walking into Roadrunner Vintage is like stepping into a different era. The store spans two floors, each offering a unique experience. The first floor is dedicated to vintage clothing, meticulously curated to reflect western, music, and motorcycle cultures. From quality leather, suede, and denim to brightly coloured expressions of 1960s creativity and iconic pieces from 90s alternative culture, there's something for everyone. On the lower-level, affectionately known as Grandma’s Basement, you'll find a collection of home décor and vinyl from bygone eras.
“For some, it’s a world of nostalgia; for others, it’s a place to explore unique styles that span over generations of counterculture,” Ashlee says.
Roadrunner Vintage is not just a store; it’s a community space. hosting photo shoots, music videos, movie productions, and even meetings.
Ashlee’s eye for unique, high-quality vintage pieces sets Roadrunner Vintage apart. While she keeps her sourcing methods a trade secret, she emphasizes the importance of quality and sustainability, avoiding big chain thrift stores for her collections. For Ashlee, the priority is circular fashion and supporting other small businesses and individuals.
“We purchase a lot of personal collections from people who’ve often held on to their items for 20 or 30 years. We also have contacts with distribution hubs that have warehouses full of clothing destined for other countries or the landfill,” she says.
This helps with her aim of creating a closed loop system where products and materials are continuously repurposed, part of her sustainability philosophy. Sustainability is not just environmental for Ashlee though, ensuring all stakeholders – including previous owners, customers, and communities benefit fairly is important to achieve social sustainability and to build resilient communities.
Ashlee believes in the longevity and quality of vintage pieces, often sourcing items from the 50s to the 90s, eras that were significant from a fashion and style perspective Quality is also a factor – leather, suede and denim are pieces that stand the test of time and are predominantly found in those eras.
“We love that we can bring these decades back to life, and people can feel like a part of the movement that was happening during that time.”
The popularity of vintage shopping has soared in recent years, and Ashlee believes this is largely due to increased environmental awareness and the desire for unique, high-quality pieces.
“Social media has been able to expose the truth about the 100 billion items of clothing produced each year, and 92 million tons end up in landfills,” she says. “I believe shoppers are really starting to see the value in vintage clothing, which was made with the intention to last.”
Ashlee is excited and proud of the growing trend in vintage shopping, not just because of sustainability, but because of the unique style and individuality people are beginning to express more and more.
Her favourite piece at the moment? A 1930s mom and cowpoke western shirt set with glass bead work. “I collected this piece from a local artist and was able to visit her farm and get a glimpse of her life. That is special to me right now,” she says.
An Important Part of a Vibrant Neighbourhood
Roadrunner Vintage has been a proud part of The Culture + Entertainment District for three years. Ashlee’s love for downtown Calgary and her belief in the importance of small businesses creating vibrancy and safety in the community was a driving factor in opening a store in The C+E.
“I was raised in Eau Claire, and as a homeowner in the Beltline, I’m a big advocate for our downtown neighbourhoods,” Ashlee says. “I saw an opportunity in Vic Park specifically, where a series of beautiful spaces had become a little more desolate. I strongly believe that our ground-level small businesses create vibrancy and add to the safety of our communities.”
Taking photos and videos of outfits to post online is a big part of what Ashlee does to market her business, and she loves to use the historic architecture in the area, and in the store—which is located inside an over 100-year-old building with high ceilings and crown moulding— to create a vintage feel to their media assets.
Ashlee loves everything about The C+E and encourages visitors to explore its many offerings. “There’s lots to do in our neighbourhood! From incredible restaurants to dog parks, live music, sports, and shopping, all in walking proximity. Leave the car behind and spend an afternoon exploring the area!”
Ashlee Popowich and Roadrunner Vintage are perfect examples of how small businesses can contribute to the vibrant, inclusive, and dynamic community that The Culture + Entertainment District strives to be. Visit Roadrunner Vintage at 1012 Macleod Trail SE to experience the nostalgia, creativity, and community spirit that make The C+E a place like no other.