Watch a quick video about our Gofundme!
Thank you so much KCTV5 for the news story!
Thank you KMBC9 for the news story!
We're creating t shirts, stickers and buttons as a gift to our supporters, plus planning some special events which we will be posting!
Help Retro Vixen Boutique Continue Spreading Love and Style!
Hi, I’m Melissa Evans, the proud owner of Retro Vixen Boutique. When we opened our doors in 2010, I could never have imagined how much this little boutique would grow and evolve. What started as a space for affordable, retro-inspired fashion has blossomed into a vibrant and inclusive community. Today, we proudly serve people of all ages, sizes, genders, and backgrounds, offering unique and stylish fashion that makes everyone feel beautiful and accepted.
Retro Vixen isn’t just a store—it’s a place where customers can express their personal style and embrace who they truly are. Whether you’re shopping for vintage-inspired pieces or simply looking for something that fits your personality, we want every person who walks through our doors to feel celebrated and empowered.
But as we all know, the past few years have been tough. Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, we’ve faced a series of financial challenges that have left us struggling to stay afloat. Here’s a glimpse of the hurdles we’ve encountered:
COVID-19: We were forced to close our doors, but we kept paying our employees and rent to support our team during this time.
Renovations: We invested thousands into upgrading the store to attract more customers, but unfortunately, we haven’t been able to recover that investment.
2024 Struggles: A 44% drop in sales last year led me to put $50,000 of my own money into keeping the boutique running.
Now, in 2025, we face even more challenges. Inflation is rising, tariffs are driving up costs, and our suppliers in the UK are raising prices. For example, an order that used to cost $1,000 is now $1,600 due to tariffs. This means these items will be have to be priced significantly higher- something we simply can’t justify when so many of our customers are struggling.
This is where we need your help. We’re asking for donations to:
Cover the added costs of tariffs so we can keep prices affordable.
Replenish our inventory so we can continue offering the styles you love.
Pay off existing small business loans and operating expenses, including rent, payroll, and bills. We’ve had to cut back on staff hours, but with your support, we hope to reinstate those hours and get our team back to full strength.
Retro Vixen has always been a community-focused business, and we believe that with your help, we can continue to be a space where everyone feels welcome and stylish. Your support will make a world of difference, and we are so incredibly grateful for anything you can contribute.
Thank you for being part of this journey with us. We couldn’t do it without you.
Some reviews from our customers that make us want to show up each and every day!
I started off as a shy curious shopper from St. Joe, I've grown to be one of Retro Vixen's biggest supporters. The level of comfort and safety you feel when you walk in the store is unmatched. You're home, and you're seen. Body positivity is a big deal here, and these ladies have seen me through all my changes. They support the LGBTQIA+ and Black Lives Matter communities, and are everything we should strive to be in the female empowerment community - build each other up, don't tear each other down. Their new secondhand clothing program is also amazing. About 80% of my wardrobe & accessories are from Retro Vixen, and I'm proud to have morphed from a shy, curious shopper into a full on supportive friend that's even modeled a little for them!
My first visit to Retrovixen was in 2018, just after ending a really long and hard relationship. Jess, greeted me with a big “hello darling” and offered assistance right away. I was nervous because I had never been in a store like that and felt like maybe I didn’t belong. But Jess made me feel welcome. She helped me pick out my first dress, that I still own and wear frequently.
Now, shopping at retrovixen is like home. I have gotten to know Jess, Melissa and the other sweet women who pick up shifts from time to time. Retrovixen has been more than a store for me. Retrovixen gives back. They give back by sometimes donating proceeds to good causes. They are extremely vocal about their commitment to diversity and inclusion. They have even helped me out when my dog was nearly dying.
Their smiles and friendly hellos are genuine. Of course, I can’t forget the adorable unique pieces they have. They sell a lot of pinup and rockabilly style pieces that I adore. They have the funnest earrings!! And recently they started to buy and sell second hand pieces.
I love this shop and will always support them as best as I can!
Retro Vixen has been a hot pink sanctuary over the years. My relationship with my body has always been complicated and my weight has fluctuated due to disordered eating and diet culture. Though my body has changed, Jess and Melissa have always been supportive and helped experiment with my style. I’m so grateful that I have a healthier relationship with food and my body, and the role Retro Vixen played in my journey has been invaluable! They’ve helped me celebrate birthdays, anniversaries, job promotions, and days that end in Y. Retro Vixen isn’t just a store, it’s a community and for me it was a lifeline, and no trip to KC is complete without a stop.
Organizer
Melissa Evans
Organizer
Kansas City, MO