Planet Fashion, a teen and young adult resale shop, offers residents an alternative place to buy name brand clothing at a fraction of the retail price.

The store opened about three weeks ago on South Main Street in the Big Lot’s Plaza.

Cindy Maze, store owner, has been in the resale business for 19 years.

She opened her first store, Twice But Nice, in Toledo after her son Josh was born.

“I started it when my son was born, and he went to work with me every day until he started school,” Cindy said.

Starting a business 19 years ago was a lot different from starting one now, she said.

“Back then I could sell a kid’s dress for $2 and now you can’t get those prices,” Cindy said. “It’s not as hard to get the business started now as it is to keep it open.”

The college atmosphere of Bowling Green is what prompted Cindy to open Planet Fashion in town.

“We can help kids who want a new outfit and can’t afford to pay $70 to $80 for a pair of jeans to get a whole outfit for $20,” she said.

Cindy personally checks every item that comes into the store and decides whether the quality meets her standards.

“Just because you bring in clothes, doesn’t mean we’ll buy them,” she said. “We don’t buy in bulk, we buy in pieces.”

Although the store is classified as a teen and young-adult resale shop, teen and young-at-heart better describes it, Cindy said.

“Just because you are 40 years old, doesn’t mean you can’t find something cute,” she said.

Cindy is also the owner of Twice But Nice and Planet Fashion, located in Toledo.

Owning two other resale businesses has helped Cindy open her third one.

“I’ve learned what to do and what not to do,” she said. “I’ve also come to make wiser choices in the clothes we take.”

Josh Maze, Cindy’s son, literally grew up in the resale business and is currently the manager of Planet Fashion.

Business is a little slow because people aren’t familiar with the store, Josh said.

“So far, we aren’t doing too bad,” he said. “Our name isn’t out yet, but once it gets out, we’ll do all right.”

Josh reiterated the fact that Planet Fashion’s clothing quality is what sets the store apart from others.

“We don’t accept clothes with stains or holes,” he said. “Everything is washed and ironed, and you can wear it without worry.”

Since the store is targeted toward teens and young adults, the selection could be improved if college students would bring things in, Josh said.

“We don’t buy an item for a dollar and then try to sell it for $20,” he said. “We pay a good amount of money for items.”

People sometimes see the word resale and instantly criticize and look down on the store, Josh said.

“Give it a chance,” he said. “The name might not be striking, but give it a shot.”

The store is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday.