Our Mission

Learn who we are and how we serve our community

Leadership

Meet our leaders, trustees and team

Foundation

Developing the next generation of talent

C+CT

Covering the latest news and trends in the marketplaces industry

Industry Insights

Check out wide-ranging resources that educate and inspire

Government Relations & Public Policy

Learn about the governmental initiatives we support

Events

Connect with other professionals at a local, regional or national event

Virtual Series

Find webinars from industry experts on the latest topics and trends

Professional Development

Grow your skills online, in a class or at an event with expert guidance

Find Members

Access our Member Directory and connect with colleagues

ICSC Networking Platform

Get recommended matches for new business partners

Student Resources

Find tools to support your education and professional development

Become a Member

Learn about how to join ICSC and the benefits of membership

Renew Membership

Stay connected with ICSC and continue to receive membership benefits

American Threads’ original outfits

June 7, 2016

California native Anne Min moved to the Atlanta area about 10 years ago and noticed that something was missing from the local retail scene: a West Coast–style women’s boutique. In only a few short years, Min, who had worked on the wholesale side of the fashion industry, provided exactly that by starting her own chain. “I thought it would be great to launch a retail store with a West Coast vibe to it,” said Min, who is owner and creative director of Duluth, Ga.–based American Threads and runs the company with her husband, Brice. “There was nobody really doing that [in the area].” 

The concept appears to have struck a chord, and not only in Atlanta. American Threads, which caters primarily to Millennials, has even opened shops outside Georgia — in Alabama, Florida and Tennessee. The Nashville shop and the store at Disney Springs — the open-air shopping, dining and entertainment complex at the Walt Disney World Resort, near Orlando — opened just last month. This fall American Threads will open stores also in Birmingham, Ala., and in Memphis, Tenn. Most of the stores operate in lifestyle centers. 

The apparel exudes “a modern bohemian” feel, says Min, who buys most of the products from independent designers based in California and elsewhere on the West Coast. “Our lines appeal to women who enjoy travel and music festivals,” said Min. “We carry hard-to-find designers. Many of our brands have an online presence, but aren’t sold in department stores.” Brands that represent socially conscious values are an important part of the American Threads offerings, including Toms, a shoe and eyewear brand that makes charitable donations for each product it sells. The stores also carry handmade jewelry and, during the holidays, gifts such as soaps, perfumes, candles and similar items, made by local artisans. Their footprint typically measures about 2,200 square feet and are furnished with repurposed items such as tables built from crates and finished out using materials like reclaimed pallet wood. 

For background music, American Threads uses its own Spotify playlist that focuses on songs by bands that perform at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival and other indie music festivals, Min says. The chain takes pride in its seasonal window displays, many of which feature some form of innovative take on the American flag — using fabric strips, for instance, or buttons and tassels. 

“We are all about repurposing and DIY [do it yourself], as is our customer base,” said Min. “Our shoppers like to make their own things and are very creative. It takes a lot of work to design our window displays, but when you pay attention to such details, Millennials want to be in your store. They feel inspired, and that’s why they keep coming back.