GI Threads
GI Threads
Vintage and distressed clothing leads Gabby Iuculano to her dream job
Who says you can’t open a business in the middle of a global pandemic? Certainly not Gabby Iuculano, who not only started her own business in Lakewood, but also opened a second location in Ellicottville this fall! GI Threads, located at 29 Washington Street in Ellicottville, is a clothing and gift boutique that offers a wide range of fashionable wardrobe pieces, beautiful décor, and unique gifts - a must-stop shop this holiday season!
According to Yelp data, over 500,000 new businesses have opened in the United States since March 2020, a surprising number given the economic turmoil of the past two years. In fact, GI Threads owner Gabby Iuculano never imagined she’d find herself among these intrepid entrepreneurs, but since opening her doors last year, she can’t imagine being anywhere else.
“I never thought I’d be in this position,” said Iuculano on a busy Saturday morning in her Ellicottville location. “In March of 2020, I was playing basketball for Jamestown Community College, but then we couldn’t do that at the time. I was bored out of my mind, so I started reworking vintage tees, distressing and washing old Levis, and just having fun with it.” She shared photos of her clothing with her friends and Instagram followers, and soon, her side hobby quickly grew into a business that needed a brick-and-mortar location to keep up with demand.
“We started in Lakewood in a tiny little shop,” she recalled. “It was a great starting point, and I wouldn’t be anywhere without that store! Now, I have two locations in Bemus Point and Ellicottville. I opened in Ellicottville right before Fall Fest on October 7th.”
Although vintage and distressed clothing is how GI Threads began, the business now carries new clothing, footwear, accessories, gifts, and décor from companies including Alo Yoga, Barefoot Dreams, Dolce Vita, Steve Madden, Nordic Beach, Z Supply, Mudpie, Demdaco, Dr. Squatch Soap, and many more. Iuculano said, “We have about 100 different wholesalers - probably more than that! Right now, it’s a little tougher because there have been product shortages, but our wholesalers have been really good about keeping us in stock.”
While online retailers can create significant challenges for small brick-and-mortar businesses like GI Threads, these challenges have actually created opportunities for the store to grow. It’s true that many people turned to online shopping when the pandemic began, but Iuculano pointed out that shopping in an actual store is an experience that many people have missed and even prefer to the online experience. “I love being able to go into a store, try something on, touch and feel the different pieces,” she said. “You don’t get that when you shop online.”
When customers visit Iuculano’s brick and mortar locations, they completely avoid the stress of online retailers’ “out of stock” notifications and shipping delays, which together have become a growing problem for nearly all gift-giving occasions since the pandemic began. “We have really anything you need for the holidays,” Iuculano said. “There are so many great gifts – lots of Ellicottville and Buffalo Bills items – stocking stuffers, and great décor to get ready for hosting people!” What’s not to love about a flannel sherpa jacket, a Buffalo plaid stainless steel tumbler, or a FLIKR portable fireplace that runs on rubbing alcohol?
According to Iuculano, opening and growing her own business over the past year and a half has been an incredible experience that has brought her even closer to her family, especially the memory of her father. “Entrepreneurship runs in my family,” she explained. “My dad owned his own construction company before he passed away. He has been my knight in shining armor, and I’m just trying to make him proud.”
Iuculano is very excited to be in Ellicottville and wishes to thank the community for their support. “I’m extremely grateful to be in this community,” she said. “I’m so happy to be here! I’ve received such a warm welcome, and my family and all my customers have been so supportive - it’s absolutely amazing.” GI Threads is open from 11:00am-5:00pm Tuesday through Sunday. The website www.githreads.com continues to be updated, but customers can always check out the latest offerings on GI Threads’ Facebook and Instagram pages.