During her lunch break, Rejeana Mathis browses through racks of shirts, skirts and jackets.
A long black coat catches her eye, and she examines it carefully. She decides against it and continues to walk around Buffalo Exchange, greeting the employees as they walk by. Draped over her arm is a heap of clothes waiting to be tried on.
For the past two-and-a-half years, Mathis has made at least one trip a day to the Buffalo Exchange in Westwood. Mathis, who works for UCLA’s Campus Human Resources, said her workplace location allows her to shop at Buffalo Exchange with ease. The store buys used clothes that people bring in and resells them.
However, starting January 2011, Mathis will have to find a new place to go during her break. Buffalo Exchange, which has been in Westwood since 1995, will be relocating to Santa Monica in order for the store to attract a broader range of customers, said associate manager Sarah Gress.
For Mathis, hearing the news was “painful.”
“For such a trendy store, the atmosphere of the store is comfortable and fun,” Mathis said. “I can find high-quality and mid-range designer items here at good prices.”
She added that the staff is helpful and friendly. By now, they all know her well. In fact, employees know her style and likes so well they often set items aside for her. She also sells to the store frequently, which she said helps offset her spending.
Now that the store is relocating, Mathis said she still will visit the new location, but probably only about twice a month.
“It really is a big loss to the university, especially,” she said. “(There are) not many moderately-priced, budget-friendly stores in Westwood for students. Especially for students without transportation, I would think they would be unhappy about not being able to wander down here to pick up a few items or to make a quick buck.”
Though Mathis is a regular customer of the store, others who shop there less frequently are also upset by the move.
Jennifer Lee, a second-year economics student, said she stops by the store to browse about three times a month, whenever she’s in Westwood with her friends.
“At school, there’s a lot of themed parties and other random events,” Lee said. “Buffalo Exchange has the best selection for such occasions. You never know what you’ll find in there.”
The clothes and accessories are also affordable, Lee added, which is extremely budget-friendly.
“The store doesn’t feel intimidating at all,” she said. “In fact, it’s kind of like a hole-in-the-wall store, a friendly place with little hidden gems.”
When she heard about the relocation, Lee said she felt sad.
“I know a lot of people that go to this store to pick up costumes or outfits for parties and everyday,” she said. “I’m going to miss having all the options available there.”
An estimated 70 to 75 percent of the store’s customers are students, Gress said.
“In a lot of ways, having the store in Westwood is beneficial, but in other ways it’s not,” Gress said. “When UCLA students are gone, like during Thanksgiving break this past weekend, the store is pretty much empty.”
However, she said the new location will host fun events and attempt to integrate with the area.