In February, Gini Maddocks went to Hawaii and brought back not only some sun, but also new thrifted clothing for SnaZZy Boutique and Gifts.
Maddocks grew up in Oxford but moved around a few times before deciding to come back.
She opened her first business, Holistic Massage, at the Junction House on 211 S Elm St. 33 years ago in Oxford. It is open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday by appointment.
About eight years ago she started selling some of the clothes in her closet. She came up with the name SnaZZy Threads and began hosting a party once a month to sell her clothes.
During Covid, she decided to rent the open room inside the Junction House to bring her new business, SnaZZy Boutique and Gifts, to life.
“I think clothing is a part of holistic health,” Maddocks said. “My motto is ‘Dress the way you want to feel,’ to use how you’re dressing to determine how you feel.”
She said she loves the idea of selling sustainable, thrifted clothing to customers.
Maddocks also invites local artists and artisans to contribute to the boutique. One space in the boutique is home to a gallery of those local artists’ works. The artwork includes ceramics, pottery and more.
“I travel and I buy things internationally, and I bring them back to the shop,” Maddocks said. “I shop at international thrift stores.”
Once a month, she hosts a side yard or in-store event, such as live music performances. Last month the Miami a cappella group, The TrebleMakers, performed at the boutique.
“I’m always trying to get the university and the community to mesh a little bit more,” Maddocks said. “Plus, I need you guys to keep current on fashion because what I think is cool, is not what you guys would probably wear, so I’m always looking for the give and take of that.”
She also has a program for people that can’t afford clothes for prom, where they can come and borrow the clothing free of charge.
Maddocks said that she likes that the boutique is a hidden gem, but also wishes it was a little more visible to the public. The building, the Junction House, was built to house the people building the railroad in the 1860’s. The old train station was across the street and is where Shademakers is located now.
A customer, Gail Reynolds, said she originally started shopping there because she is friends with Maddocks.
“She has wonderful taste in clothes and has finds from all over different thrift shops and consignment shops,” Reynolds said. “I like the environmental impact rather than buying new clothes off the shelf or off the hanger.”
Reynolds said she loves that Maddocks supports local artists at her boutique, and she enjoys finding new things every time she comes in.
“I like to tell people who don’t like to shop that I go do the hard work for you,” Maddocks said. “I’m out there looking for brands, so you have a lot less to go through if you come here.”
