The red sign that towers over the parking lot pavement is a comforting and familiar sight.
The start of college is an opportunity to begin anew. No longer constrained by a uniform, I was excited about getting dressed in an outfit of my choosing every day. The Arc has watched me develop a sense of style and way of life here.
50% off Saturdays. Tunes from the 60s through 90s usually blast throughout the store. Trying on anything is a nightmare. You better be ready to crawl under or smash the call button because those dressing rooms always get accidentally locked. Tags of pastel blue, orange, yellow and pink hang onto each item. If lucky, the item you chose might be half off that day.
The Arc is there for you in every situation. Looking for something to do today? Head to Arc. Need a last-minute gift for a friend? Check out Arc. Flare? Arc. Business casual? Arc. A party with a niche or unusual theme? Arc.
The merchandise is a perfect blend of true vintage gems and the ugliest fast fashion pieces you have ever seen. One of Arc’s most defining features is the sheer turnover of its inventory. Every new Arc trip, there are new items to sift through, an entirely fresh scene.
Arc is my home base of transition. Its inventory has changed over and over again, and so have I, but the store itself is unwavering. The Arc has seen me make friends, go on dates and walk alone through the aisles.
News has been shared at the Arc, good and bad. There have been hugs, jumps up and down in excitement, whispers of juicy gossip. Walking side by side, rifling through skirts and coats, we do not have to make eye contact, but we listen to each other intently.
Arc has seen me joyous, devastated, hungry, proud, anxious, exhausted, excited, rushed and caught in a laugh attack.
A few weeks ago, I walked the aisles searching for a senior prom dress, with just a week left until I turned 22. The repetitive motion of shoving each hanger back and hunting for a gem felt familiar, but devastatingly final too.
From mugs for my shoebox Loomis room to a wooden knife block and dresser for my senior house. From Priddy activities to shopping for senior prom dresses. From 18 to 22.
College is a period of change and I am grateful for the Arc, my first friend here, for being by my side the whole time.