While some Moscow residents and University of Idaho students may see The Storm Cellar as an affordable option to department store clothing, the consignment store on Main Street houses a unique history.
The Storm Cellar was named partly as a play off the owners’ last name, and partly in homage to co-owner Austin Storm’s grandparents’ antique store, called the Serendipity Cellar.
Storm grew up visiting his grandparents’ store, as well as attending flea markets and thrift stores. Storm said it was the thrill of discovery that kept him excited.
In 2009 Storm and his wife, Laura established The Storm Cellar. Originally, the majority of the store was dedicated to clothing.
Now, the Storm Cellar has over 4,000 active consigners, and has had more than 9,000 in their history, Storm said. Storm said he has made an effort to make The Storm Cellar unique and echo the atmosphere of Moscow.
“We try to make it reflect the diversity of Moscow,” Storm said. “People come to this area (to go to school) from other places, and you get things you don’t normally see.”
Storm said the combination of the size of Moscow and people flowing through from rural areas blends together to create a cosmopolitan feel. He said he strived to mirror that in The Storm Cellar. The size of Moscow allows the store to not cater to a specific demographic, but provides items for all different types of individuals. “You can find that one thing that works for you,” Storm said.
Kate Pliego, an employee at The Storm Cellar, has worked there for three years and loves to support and work in small businesses. Pliego said the store is busy all the time, and has a variety of shoppers, from teenagers to older individuals, that reflects the diversity the store wishes to provide.
“There is always something here for everyone,” Pliego said. “There is a wide variety of people and walks of life.”
Zoie Himes, a first-year student at UI, said she has noticed the uniqueness The Storm Cellar provides. Himes said she accidentally discovered the store when walking down Moscow Main Street one afternoon. Himes said the store offers a plethora of items at a reasonable price, which is beneficial for college students.
“It provides personality,” Himes said. “And there’s a lot of stuff there. It’s a consignment store, so it’s classy, but it’s also unique and nice.”
The combination of a small town and university drew the Storms to Moscow, and was a good place to start a small retail business. With so many local businesses around to support, Storm said this was a good place to be.
“People are excited about supporting local stores,” Storm said.
A majority of the merchandise is consigned to the store. For some of the furniture and the housewares, however, Storm will go on buying trips and attend auctions to find unique pieces. For 2018, Storm has established the goals of expanding both their selection of men’s clothing and furniture.
“There’s a blend of cool stuff at affordable prices,” Storm said. “There an edginess and a weirdness that I hope it never loses.”
This article has been corrected from an earlier version.
Mary Phipps can be reached at [email protected]