ThredUP online resale shop opens first Midwest distribution center in Vernon Hills

VERNON HILLS – California-based thredUP, an online marketplace for buying and selling like-new women's and children's clothing and accessories, has chosen Vernon Hills for its first distribution center in the Midwest.

The company is leasing a 145,000 square-foot space at 100 Lakeview Parkway, which had been vacant for nearly two years, and bringing 300 new jobs to the area.

“The Village of Vernon Hills is pleased to welcome thredUP to our community,” stated Village President Roger Byrne in a press release. “Sustainability is at the center of the brand’s ethos and we welcome the meaningful jobs thredUP is creating for our devoted and diverse communities throughout Lake County.”

Founded in Boston in 2009, thredUP’s other distribution centers are located in San Leandro, Calif. and Mechanicsburg, Pa. A fourth center is preparing to open in Duluth, Ga.

“We’re very excited to have them choose our community to be the home of their first distribution center in the Midwest,” said Joe Carey, Vernon Hills assistant village manager.

By strategically locating its distribution centers, the company can expedite shipping and receiving across the country and increase the amount of localized, seasonally relevant inventory available to its customers.

“I’m thrilled we are expanding to Vernon Hills and growing to serve even more customers,” stated thredUP CEO and co-founder James Reinhart in a press release. “We look forward to being good corporate citizens within the wider Chicago community, bringing jobs and opportunities for more people throughout the area.”

Behind the scenes

Inside the Vernon Hills distribution center is a flurry of activity. Manager Michael Suchoza said 4,000 to 5,000 pieces of inventory come into the center each day, with roughly the same amount being shipped out to customers.

“Our target consumers are moms. There’s so much good stuff here,” he said.

ThredUP accepts clothing from more than 25,000 women’s and children’s brands and resells them for up to 90 percent off the original retail price.

"We focus on like-new items, but we are opening our different tiers as an effort to provide something for everyone as opposed to only flawless designer items. As we speak, it's changing. We're accepting a lot more stuff these days," Suchoza said.

Each item of clothing that comes into the distribution center is carefully inspected for defects. Items that make the cut are photographed for thredUP's website then placed on specific racks where workers can pull them once purchased.

“We are the industry leader in what we do,” Suchoza said. “Online is where it’s at. Instead of driving your clothes to some other place (to sell), you go online, order a bag from us, fill it and send it back. We make it very easy.”

Sellers looking to earn extra cash can order a "Clean Out Bag" to send their like-new clothing and accessories to thredUP with free shipping. All items go through an evaluation process to ensure they are free of defects, on trend and from top brand names.

Any item with an initial listing price of $59.99 or less qualifies for an upfront payout. Customers can expect to earn 10 percent to 40 percent of the anticipated selling price.

Items with an initial listing price of $60 or more qualifies for a consignment payout in which the seller can earn 50 percent to 80 percent of the selling price once an item has sold.

Sellers can opt to have unaccepted items returned for a return assurance fee of $12.99.

A quarter-million items are listed on thredUP’s website each day, and each day customers can discover something new.

“You can find clothes, purses, shoes and children’s wear without stepping out of your house,” said Pamela McCampbell, a member of the leadership team at the Vernon Hills distribution center. “As much as kids outgrow their clothes, this is ideal for mothers who don’t have the time to go to a retail store. This saves them time and money.”

Now hiring

The Vernon Hills distribution center of thredUP currently employs about 150 people and they plan to double that. Applications are now being accepted for second shift, which is 3 to 11:30 p.m.

Positions start at entry level, but there are advancement opportunities for employees as they become more experienced.

Those interested in working for thredUP can apply online at www.thredup.com/jobs or stop by the distribution center.

“This is a fantastic company to work for,” said Mike Alexander, outbound operations supervisor for the Vernon Hills distribution center.

In addition to creating jobs, Suchoza said thredUP plans to partner with the community for charitable initiatives, such as donating canvas scraps to Vernon Hills High School art students and hosting an art contest for a scholarship prize.

“We’re very proud of the partnerships we create with our business community and thredUP’s willingness to generate 150 jobs with the intention of rolling out 150 more is really a testament to the collaborative effort the village makes in helping businesses become successful,” Carey said. “We’re certainly happy to have them here.”

Visit www.thredup.com for more information.