What is theLOCAL?: The Lost Reserve
Step inside the middle store at theLOCAL, Jackson’s new micro-retail development, and enter Chase Walker’s vintage world. Mounted to the wall behind the register, a rusted mattress frame displays coats and bright ski jackets. A taxidermy red squirrel (who doesn’t have a name yet) holds business cards urging “GET LOST.” Vinyls slump in a crate under the window. Afghans are folded next to a row of soft, faded flannels. Wooden pallets display statement pieces high on the walls. A mix of antique store eccentricity and thrift store charm, The Lost Reserve is not your typical vintage store.
Twenty-five-year-old Walker never planned on opening his own business, but he’s always had a soft-spot for quality clothes. When the Jackson native moved back to town, he realized he was running out of closet space.
“I had to make room for myself—every closet was full of sweaters, sweatshirts, everything,” he said.
Wondering if he could make money off of his collection, Walker opened an online shop three years ago, building a customer base via Instagram and word of mouth. When he saw advertisements for theLOCAL, he applied on a whim.
“And here it is, a brick and mortar store!” theLOCAL's youngest entrepreneur exclaimed, smiling wide. “It’s been awesome. I didn’t even dream about having this last year, and it just happened. I always wanted to be the first person to open a vintage shop in Jackson.”
The name “The Lost Reserve” came after searching synonyms for “vintage,” Walker admitted, laughing.
“Actually, the name is kind of a double entendre. A wilderness ‘reserve,’ but also the lost reserve, as in the people who are lost reserve. I thought it fit because, if you think about thrifting, the clothes are lost and you need to find them. . . . It’s a little cliché but I think it works.”
But what makes The Lost Reserve different from another used clothing store?
“It’s specialized,” Walker explained. “I go in and hand select everything, so it’s like curated fashion. You don’t have to dig through thrift stores, because I’ve picked out all the good stuff and put it here for you.”
The aesthetic is different, too. With wood pallets and branch coat racks, the small space exudes an effortless cool. Part of that comes from Walker’s background working in an antique store.
“I like to think of this like a mini Urban Outfitters, with my spin on it,” he said.
And more affordable: a well-made, one-of-a-kind sweater costs only $20 at The Lost Reserve, as opposed to the higher prices of many chain stores.
The shop is open Wednesday through Saturday, and on his off-days, Walker “treasure hunts” at thrift stores, both local and out of town.
“It’s my favorite thing to do, because you never know what you’re going to find. That’s what’s cool about it.”
He constantly rotates his stock, which, Walker says, is part of the appeal.
“That’s what keeps customers coming back,” he explained. “I’m not bringing in the same thing; I’ll have forty or fifty new items every week.”
Besides vintage clothes, The Lost Reserve features a collection of classic vinyl records—but Walker loves his old band t-shirts more than anything.
“I’ve found some old Led Zepplin, ACDC. . . . They’re rare to find, which is why they’re my favorite.”
As for his own “staple” style pieces, Walker said you can never go wrong with a lightweight black tee (graphic or not), a denim jacket, a soft flannel, and, of course, a good abstract sweater.
Walker is optimistic for the future.
“Eventually, I’d like a bigger building, more space.” He laughed. “This isn’t even half my stuff. I’d like to do vintage furniture too.”
Downtown Jackson continues to develop, and Walker thinks The Lost Reserve can add to it.
“Because Jackson’s growing, and I want to supplement it with my business and bring in a younger crowd,” he explained. “I hope to be a part of downtown Jackson and helping it grow.”
For now, Walker welcomes everyone to “Get Lost” browsing his constantly changing collection.
“I invite anybody to come hang out and check us out. We have something for everybody.”
The Lost Reserve is located in Suite B of theLOCAL at 202 West Lafayette Street and is open Wednesday, through Saturday, 10:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. Make sure to follow them on Instagram.
Emily Johnson is a Jackson native and senior at Union University. She enjoys good hikes, good snows, and good stories, well-told.
Photographer Katherine Cheshire is a student at Union University. She is currently interning at the Jackson Chamber and enjoys reading, journaling, and eating donuts.
