A splash of fuchsia catches the eye immediately upon entering Mod Uncorked. Owner Limor Webber is in a bright blazer that coordinates with the electric pink, yellow and black graffiti mural on the wall behind her. This striking art piece, created by local artist Josh Harnack, blends Jean-Michel Basquiat’s explosive energy with Banksy’s iconic imagery, setting an unmistakable tone: this is not your grandmother’s consignment shop.
Among the breweries and eateries of Edmonton’s vibrant West Ritchie neighbourhood, Mod Uncorked stands as an illustration of thoughtful curation in an age of disposable fast fashion. The consignment boutique, helmed by Webber for six and a half years, represents a deliberate departure from the dusty, cluttered stereotype that often plagues second-hand retail.
Unlike many resale shops that specialize in either contemporary or vintage, Mod Uncorked embraces both, alongside a carefully selected men’s section that Webber deliberately calls “masculine” rather than “men’s,” a subtle but significant nod to the store’s commitment to inclusivity. “Anyone can just come and shop here. I don’t care if you want a dress or a hat,” she explains, noting the store’s popularity with 2SLGBTQIA+ customers. Webber actively encourages shoppers to explore both the masculine and feminine sections, gently pushing them to expand their style horizons beyond traditional gender boundaries.
The seasonality of Mod Uncorked’s intake process highlights its selective approach. Currently accepting summer items, the shop will close this intake period after just a few weeks. It’s a strategy that ensures the merchandise remains relevant and desirable. Webber maintains stringent quality standards, refusing items that won’t last. “I am not going to sell something that’s going to fall apart,” she insists, explaining her preference for natural fibres over polyester.
This quality-over-quantity ethos resonates particularly now, as consumers face inflation and potential tariff increases. Though Webber doesn’t anticipate an immediate surge in second-hand shopping, she’s positioning her business for the shift she believes is coming. “Because of our current state of the world, I feel like people are gonna start to shop more second-hand,” she predicts, “it’s gonna take a minute, even though second-hand shopping has already been prominent I think we’re going to see an uptick.”
The boutique’s clientele spans generations, with millennials and Gen Xers making up the bulk of shoppers, people who are “funky, with personality and disposable income,” as Webber describes them. Consignors trend slightly older, typically 35-45 years old with quality pieces to circulate.
The name “Mod Uncorked” itself symbolizes Webber’s philosophy. Besides the cheeky reference to Mod Style, “uncorked” references the regenerative nature of cork bark and the way wine breathes when uncorked, improving with time, metaphors for giving clothes new life and allowing personal style to emerge.
Beyond selling clothes, the boutique is expanding into tools for extending garm2ent life like specialized soaps, sweater shavers, and ingenious devices like “pant extenders” that add flexibility to waistbands. It’s all part of Webber’s mission: “I don’t want to add more to consumerism. I just want you to take what you have and enjoy it.”
In an era of fast fashion, Mod Uncorked offers an alternative vision: one where clothing has personality, history and a future that extends beyond a single season.
Mod Uncorked
Ritchie | 10003 80 Ave NW, Edmonton | 780.435.0284 | moduncorked.com
