This content was originally published by the Longmont Observer and is licensed under a Creative Commons license.
Aloha is how you are greeted by owners Kim and Mark Pinkerton when entering or exiting the new Aloha Trading Company.
Aloha means far more than hello and goodbye in this mid to upscale consignment shop located at 356 Main St., Longmont. Kim thought the name Aloha was appropriate because people are saying goodbye to clothing that they love and saying hello to something new.
The friendly saying fits all people, as Aloha Trading Company offers both men and women's clothing from name-brand stores such as Anthropologie, J.Crew, Kate Spade, and many others.
Transplanted from Honolulu, Hawaii, the Pinkertons found themselves in Colorado. They began in Superior but were soon drawn to Longmont more and more. When the time came to buy a house to raise their daughters, the couple quickly decided on Longmont.
Kim can be seen behind the counter most days, as she works to get new selections on the racks. However, the entire Pinkerton family pitches in where they can to keep the shop running and decorated. The Pinkerton girls have an area in the back set up for little ones to color while their parents shop.
Being a marine biologist, Kim has always been drawn to doing her best to keep the environment in mind. Her husband, Mark, agrees with the philosophy and built everything in the shop, with the exception of the iron bar racks, from recycled and local materials.
The shop has a variety of mirrors throughout that act as decor but each has its own personal story. Many of them come from wood the Pinkertons salvaged from the 2013 flood as they volunteered to help with recovery efforts.
Giving back and volunteering has always been an important part of Kim's life. So much so, she gives consignors the option to donate any unwanted clothing to local charities, including the OUR Center.
To further the idea of giving, in the spring, Kim hopes to be able to host a prom event to help high schoolers find the perfect prom attire for the big night, without having to spend a lot of money.
Clothing consigned at Aloha Trading Company can be dropped during the shop's business hours. It is Kim's dream to continue to expand the selection to include high-end clothing for an exquisite evening out. Additionally, she wants to continue to fill the gap in men's clothing options in Longmont.
