In the heart of Selden Market is a clothing shop unlike any other in Hampton Roads. It began with a dream which has since catapulted into a full-throttle boutique.
The year was 2019 when two sisters decided to co-launch their clothing business—born out of a deep love for celebrations and dressing for an occasion.
Hannah is a woman behind the scenes, focusing on marketing and design to keep the shop operating at an optimal cadence. Sarah is a talented sewist working hands-on in every aspect of the brand.
Shop Gallagher initially came to fruition with a few pop-ups in big cities across the country. They built a brand identity between word-of-mouth buzz referrals and online sales and laid roots down in the 757 soon after.
Fast forward to July 2020; Shop Gallagher became a brick-and-mortar store in Norfolk’s own Selden Market. Though many would argue that the time to open a small business was not in the middle of a pandemic, they’ve continued to thrive during these unprecedentedly strange and challenging times.
Some of this is due in part to the unique business incubator program that Selden Market offers. With 6-month leases and a plethora of support and entrepreneurial guidance to their tenants, they’re a prominent spot for startups looking to thrive in a retail setting. These pivotal resources allow new companies to get the ball rolling with less money upfront and lower risk.
What sets them apart
Using only sustainably and ethically sourced materials and designing each outfit to the client’s specific measurements, Shop Gallagher values overseeing every step in their manufacturing process.
When they initially launched their brand in spring 2019, clients could choose from three dress styles in nine color options. Over the past few years, they’ve expanded upon these options with skirts, tops, and various accessories.
How does it work?
The ordering process begins by either visiting their physical location or shopping on the website. Customers can provide their measurements upon order, take them in person, or utilize their handy sizing guide before buying.
The shop produces each item upon receiving the order; more time is necessary for production. Shop Gallagher typically has a four-week lead time from order to shipment, not including the shipping window for delivery.
Read more on how Shop Gallagher determines their pricing model and keeps production Norfolk-based in this blog post.
Reducing waste
As a sustainable brand, they adhere to strict social and environmental standards, encompassing core values of waste reduction and reversing negative ecological impacts.
They take great pride in using plant-based textiles instead of synthetic fabrics commonly used across the clothing industry. They also use recycled packaging, ensure a safe working environment, and give back to the community.
So, what’s next?
Shop Gallagher may have only recently started, but the sky’s the limit for this DIY clothing brand. They’ve seen an uptick in popularity over the last few months, even hiring an additional sewist to fulfill the growing demand for their work. They have big plans to increase their output.
Visiting Shop Gallagher
Hours:
Tuesday-Thursday 11am-3pm
Friday – Sunday: 10am-5pm
Location:
Selden Market, 208 E. Main Street, Norfolk
Read more about Selden Market: http://seldenmarket.com.
Paul Stetson Rice
Chelsea, NFK
Paul is the creator of NFKVA.com. He was born and raised in Norfolk, graduated from Virginia Tech, and narrowly avoided law school. Chat with him about economics, entrepreneurship, hip-hop, and hiking. When he's not working on five different projects, you'll catch him sharing a beer with friends at a local brewery.
