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A Second Life for Fashion on 2nd Street
A Second Life for Fashion on 2nd Street
Locals gathered for the ribbon cutting—here’s why it matters
Robert Brennan
Nov 13, 2025
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Twice Threaded Brings Curated Secondhand Fashion to Belmont Shore |
A boutique-style resale shop opens on 2nd Street with a mission rooted in sustainability, style, and community impact. |
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Ribbon Cutting on 2nd Street
A scissors-cutting ceremony unfolded Wednesday as Twice Threaded celebrated its grand opening on 2nd Street. The event, supported by the Long Beach Chamber of Commerce and the Long Beach Small Business Council, drew a lively crowd into Belmont Shore. With black and white balloons framing the storefront and shoppers gathering for photos, the opening felt like more than a routine ribbon cutting. It marked the arrival of a polished, sustainability-driven resale boutique and a potential new chapter for the street itself.
Two security guards stood by the entrance, a quiet reminder of the safety concerns local retailers have been navigating in recent months. Their presence didn’t overshadow the moment, but it signaled the realities of operating a physical shop on a changing street.
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Second Life for Clothing Is a Business Model
Behind the neatly displayed, pre-loved clothing is USAgain, a Chicago-based textile recycling company known for its green clothing collection bins across the country. Instead of sending all collected textiles to recycling processors or overseas markets, the Twice Threaded concept pulls high-quality pieces from the national stream and brings them back to local communities in a clean and curated retail environment.
The idea is simple: give clothing a meaningful second life while offering shoppers a place to find stylish pieces at accessible prices. Most items fall between $12 and $60, with only a few reaching the $100 range. The pricing reflects their goal of staying affordable while keeping quality standards high.
Inside, the store feels organized and intentional. Bright lighting, curated shoe displays, circular racks, and tall mirrors create a space that feels more like a small fashion boutique than a traditional thrift store. A small seating area near the front adds familiar comfort and gives shoppers room to pause.
Twice Threaded’s Commitment to Long Beach
Twice Threaded is the first retail store launched under USAgain, and leadership made it clear the company is committed to Long Beach for the long term. During the ribbon cutting, CEO Mattias Wallander told the crowd, “This is our first retail store as Twice Threaded… hopefully one of many. But there will never be another first store, and it’s here in Belmont Shore.”
Store Manager Daniella J. Najera emphasized the brand’s values, sharing that the space was built on creativity, sustainability, and community-centered thinking. She noted that for every $100 spent in the store, the company sponsors the planting of a tree, reinforcing its mission to blend fashion and environmental responsibility.
The internal tone was consistent: this store isn’t a pilot or a market test. It’s the start of what USAgain hopes will become a lasting retail presence supported by sustainability, curated shopping, and a broad demographic appeal.
Why This Model Stands Out From Traditional Thrift
Twice Threaded sets itself apart through selective inventory, curated displays, and a refined shopping experience. Instead of relying solely on community donation streams, the company pulls a narrow percentage of high-quality items from its nationwide collection system. The result is an inventory that feels intentional rather than overwhelming.
Self-checkout stations are scheduled to be activated soon, offering convenience while reducing wait times during busier hours. Clean presentations, modern lighting, and consistent pricing place Twice Threaded in a unique position between thrift and boutique, signaling a shift in how secondhand retail is being reimagined.
Online Retail Transitioning to Foot Traffic
For years, resale platforms like eBay, Depop, and Poshmark shaped the secondhand fashion world through digital marketplaces. Now, those shopping behaviors are returning to physical spaces. Twice Threaded taps into this shift, offering the immediacy and discovery that online browsing can’t replicate.
Younger shoppers especially are returning to in-person resale, seeking quality pieces they can see and feel. Twice Threaded aligns with this trend, bringing curated browsing to a street that has traditionally supported boutique-style stores.
Security at the Door Reflects Changing Retail Conditions
As many local retailers know, rising theft, late-night incidents, and the general cost of preventive safety measures have challenged businesses along 2nd Street. The presence of two security guards during the opening event reflects these realities. It’s a measure new retailers increasingly adopt to protect customers, staff, and merchandise, especially during high-traffic events.
While the store’s opening was celebratory, this small detail underscores the shifting landscape for businesses that choose to invest in the area.
A Street in Transition
Second Street has seen its share of turnover in recent years. Vacant storefronts, rising rents, and operational challenges have made it difficult for independent shops to survive. New buildouts, modern shelving, and security staffing often require deeper resources than traditional mom-and-pop shops can manage.
Twice Threaded arrives with a different type of backing: not a national retail giant, but a well-supported sustainability company with the infrastructure to handle fluctuating conditions. Their arrival hints at what the next phase of 2nd Street may look like — a mix of independent retailers, restaurants, and well-capitalized concepts that can navigate the modern demands of brick-and-mortar retail.
What Twice Threaded Means for the Neighborhood
This new arrival doesn’t replace the street’s character but adds a new layer to it. Not quite boutique, not quite thrift, Twice Threaded brings a curated, sustainability-focused option that may help draw more foot traffic to a street working to regain stability.
It remains to be seen how this blend of community, curation, and organizational support will shape 2nd Street, but one thing is certain: Twice Threaded chose Belmont Shore as the first stop in its retail journey, suggesting confidence in the neighborhood’s long-term potential.
As 2nd Street continues to evolve, Twice Threaded’s arrival adds both optimism and momentum, offering residents a new destination where sustainability and style meet in the heart of Belmont Shore.
Event Details
📍 Twice Threaded – Curated Secondhand Fashion
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Join the UP! Market at the LBX Hangar for a relaxed afternoon of local makers, food trucks, family‑friendly fun and pet‑friendly community energy.
Date: November 15 2025; Time: 12:00 PM–4:00 PM; Location: 4150 McGowen St, Long Beach, CA 90846; Admission: Free. Link: Event page
Come to the LBX Hangar for a community‑oriented night market with a fall carnival twist: makers, music and pet‑friendly fun.
Date: November 21 2025; Time: 5:00 PM–9:00 PM; Location: 4150 McGowen St, Long Beach, CA 90846; Admission: Free. Link: Event page
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Date: November 21‑22 2025; Time: 4:00 PM–1:00 AM; Location: 1126 Queens Hwy, Long Beach, CA 90802; Admission: Ticketed (18+ entry). Link:
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Date: November 15 2025; Time: 7:30 PM (doors at 6:00 PM); Location: 300 E Ocean Blvd, Long Beach, CA 90802; Admission: Ticket required. Link:
Celebrate Thanksgiving with sweeping harbor views and a full buffet including turkey carving, seasonal sides and a dedicated dessert station at the Sky Room.
Date: November 27, 2025; Time: 12:00 PM–6:00 PM; Location: 210 E Ocean Blvd, Long Beach, CA 90802; Admission: Buffet with reservations required. Link:
Spend Thanksgiving at the Long Beach Marriott enjoying a lavish buffet from brunch through lunch—with seafood, turkey carving, desserts and unlimited mimosas.
Date: November 27, 2025; Time: 10:00 AM–4:00 PM (various seatings); Location: 4700 Airport Plaza Dr, Long Beach, CA 90815; Admission: Buffet with reservation. Link:
Thanksgiving Football & Babylon Rockers @ Shenanigans: Shenanigans hosts a lively Thanksgiving celebration with football viewing and a live reggae set by Babylon Rockers—good vibes, food and a casual community hang.
Date: November 27, 2025; Time: 4:00 PM–9:00 PM; Location: 423 Shoreline Village Dr, Ste. A, Long Beach, CA 90802; Admission: Free. Link:
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Assistance League of Long Beach Holiday Boutique 2025 Keeps Giving |
A one-day shopping event where every purchase helps fund school clothes, braces, and scholarships for local kids
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Assistance League of Long Beach has turned holiday shopping into something more. At its annual Holiday Boutique, returning Monday, November 17, neighbors don’t just browse festive finds, they step into a room powered by volunteers and designed to support thousands of local children through programs that provide school clothing, scholarships, and orthodontic care.
How Assistance League of Long Beach Became a Holiday Boutique Powerhouse
Assistance League of Long Beach isn’t just another nonprofit. Founded in 1940 and led by volunteers, the organization has spent more than 85 years responding to local needs with a simple promise: show up, stay committed, and make it personal.
From its home base at the Cherese Mari Laulhere Philanthropic Center on Spring Street, the League manages several programs serving thousands of children and families. That includes providing school uniforms through Operation School Bell, low-cost braces through its orthodontic program, and scholarships for students pursuing healthcare careers.
Over the years, Assistance League of Long Beach has partnered with the Long Beach Unified School District and relied on support from individual donors, grant funders, and corporate partners. While it does not rely on government funding, it thrives on community generosity, fundraising events, and the energy of more than 700 active volunteers.
What to Expect at This Year’s Holiday Boutique
This year’s Holiday Boutique takes place on Monday, November 17, from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM at the Assistance League of Long Beach philanthropic center on Spring Street. The boutique is open to the public and free to attend.
Expect a warm, festive atmosphere with over 25 vendors offering handcrafted gifts, seasonal décor, vintage treasures, artisan jewelry, and other locally made goods—perfect for holiday gifting.
Each vendor donates a portion of their sales back to Assistance League, ensuring that every purchase supports programs serving children and families in need.
How to Support Year-Round
Can’t make it on event day? You can support Assistance League of Long Beach year-round with a donation or by volunteering your time.
Visit ALLB.org (redirects to the official chapter page) to learn more, contribute, or explore ways to get involved.
Event Details
Assistance League of Long Beach – Holiday Boutique
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