For many college students, the line between wearing trendy clothes or spending money on groceries and gas can be an extremely thin one. In many cases, both things can be of dire importance for students.

Buying, selling and trading affordable fashion is the intent behind the newly-opened clothing store called Uptown Cheapskate. The store, which has various franchises around the country, offers trendy, gently-used, in-style clothing and accessories at an affordable price.

“We buy clothes from the public and basically, when someone comes and brings their clothes in, we go through each item checking their condition,” said Kevin Drennen, own-er of El Paso’s Uptown Cheapskate.

Uptown Cheapskate’s employees are trained to offer advice and service to their customers based on their knowledge on the latest trends, styles, brands and looks that fit best to each customer.

Some of the predominant brands that the store offers are Michael Kors, H&M, American Eagle and Free People, amongst others. The exchange store also offers designer brands such as Kate Spade, Marc Jacobs, Jimmy Choo and Yves St. Laurent.

“We are not all fortunate to go and buy at department stores that offer the best brands, and stores like this, that offer a great diversity in one place, it’s something that I think is very convenient and good,” said Jose Eduardo Galeano, junior art major. “I would definitely buy at this and many other stores that offer the exchange service.”

According to Drennen, the store is directed at a younger population such as college students.

“We really want a little bit for everybody, but our main target customer is the 20-something-year-old,” Drennen said. “College students typically love this. It’s cheap, it’s affordable, it’s fun, it’s different and it’s local.”

The store is located at 2900 N. Mesa St., which was chosen by the owners, Kevin and Jessica Drennen, with the purpose of making the idea of buying, selling and trading clothes a part of a college student’s life.

“It will also provide them (the students) with many affordable choices to choose from, and give them a chance to clean out their closet and receive cash in exchange,” said Valeria Annette Mora, an employee at Uptown Cheapskate.

Apart of being an affordable exchange store, Uptown Cheapskate also contributes clothing donations to local charities.

“All the clothes or items Uptown Cheapskate is not able to purchase, with the customer’s approval, we happily donate them to local charities,” Mora said.

Some of the local organizations that the store supports with donations are Candlelighters of El Paso, The Rescue Mission, and local low-income high school students.

“Uptown Cheapskate loves the idea of finding every single piece of garment a new home, and this is also a great option to do so while helping out the community,” Mora said.

In the future, Uptown Cheapskate will have contests, giveaways and many other events that will benefit both their customers and the store’s exchange dynamic.

“We want to give back to our customers for all their support since the beginning of this fun journey. After all, we are all Uptown Cheapskate El Paso,” Mora said.

For more information about Uptown Cheapskate El Paso, visit their Facebook page or visit their store location at 2900 N Mesa. Suite B.

Fernanda Leon may be reached at [email protected].