Urban Xchange, Not Your Average Used Clothing Store

With a title like Urban Xchange, the store’s blatantly alternative appeal might seem limited to Tacoma’s hipster community.

As a center for both the trade and purchase of young adult products, the store certainly has an apparent penchant for all things vintage and quirky.

Yet from its downtown location at 1932 Pacific Ave., Urban Xchange has utilized its voluminous space by expanding into other realms of commerce in the past year.

Now, Urban Xchange’s premises include a quaint antique shop, an all-ages venue, The Den, and a modest café, Tahoma Tea and Co.

In the clothing section of the store, one can find coveted brand name products like the pair of men’s Sperrys that just arrived, hilarious gems such as cowboy shirts from the 70s, along with locally-made rings, shirts and jackets.

About twice the size of a typical 7/11, Urban Xchange’s sales floor contains an impressive variety of apparel, not necessarily limited by, although geared toward, hipster taste.

Perusing Urban Xchange’s antique shop, I’ve found musty old books, rare vinyls and more practical items like intact wicker chairs for decent prices.

Overall, the vintage items are high-quality rather than worn-down as to be contrived to suit an alternative image, so the antique shop really is legitimate.

I have yet to see any bands at The Den but the shows are often cheap, fluctuating around $5, and diverse.

I’ve checked out a few of the rosters and after listening to some of the featured music, I was glad to see that The Den welcomes new artists from a wide range of genres rather than stagnates with predictable coffeeshop-folk acts.

Last time I visited Urban Xchange, I sampled some chai tea at the café which was delightfully rich and spicy and served to me with charming enthusiasm.

I was immediately impressed by the wide array of options at the café, including pastries, many specialty coffee drinks and less familiar varieties of tea.

Whether or not you’re fond of neon jackets from the 80s, plaid couches, grungy songwriters or coffee with an extra shot of hip, the sheer range of commodities offered at Urban Xchange is likely to include something for everyone.