Believe it or not, but it’s been six years since we’ve seen Stacey Chambers, founder and proprietress of GoGo’s Retread Threads, and her brightly colored vintage dream closet on wheels gracing local events, colleges, and farmers market.
Originally from Nevada, Chambers decided to start GoGo’s after hearing an NPR story about how traditional brick and mortar small businesses were struggling. She then bought her ’94 international school bus, filled it with the best vintage in town, and began her journey slinging skirts and spreading smiles.
Join Chambers this Saturday, August 6, at the Hollywood Diner to celebrate six years of mobile shopping and more. Her bus—which she has fondly named “Elsa” after actress Elsa Lanchester—will be getting a makeover by one of the most well-known Argentinian street artists, Alfredo Segatori. Segatori, whose claim to fame is creating the longest mural in South America by a single artist, will be on hand all day painting the vintage bus.
“It will be almost six years to the day that I bought the bus so it will be a special occasion for everyone,” Chambers said. “I’m looking forward to seeing Alfredo give the bus get a new look.”
Segatori actually owns his own Mercedes 911 bus in Buenos Aires, which serves as an art gallery on wheels, and is also used for workshops and exhibitions.
“My story is similar to Stacey’s in that it was my dream to own and paint a vintage bus and drive it around the city bringing a smile to people’s faces,” Segatori said in a press release. “I’m really looking forward to working with Stacey, visiting Baltimore again, and having the chance to paint a classic American school bus.”
The event, which will also feature food trucks, a full bar, and DJ Landis Expandis, kicks off 6:30 p.m. followed by a dance party that goes until 11 p.m. There will also be a donation bin for the Ellicott City Partnership for those affected by the tragic flooding that happened last week.
“I hope that we can celebrate my small business and help other small businesses recover and rebuild,” said Chambers, who will also be donating a portion of her Sunday sales as well.