5 Pound Apparel transitioning to online-only business

Springfield-based clothing and home accessories retailer Five Pound Apparel LLC, which does business as 5 Pound Apparel, is transitioning to an online-only business model.

Brina Thomas, who owns the company with husband Ben, said in an interview this morning that 5 Pound Apparel's downtown storefront at 412 South Ave. would close to customers on March 1. The company maintains the lease on the building through the end of 2026, and the facility will be used during that time as an online and wholesale warehouse, she said.

Thomas said 5 Pound Apparel came to the decision when holding annual planning meetings. That showed growth in online sales and wholesale accounts – over 30 from California to Maryland – outpacing in-store business, she said.

"It really just makes sense for us to test out that just having online and wholesale and seeing if that can be sustainable for us long-term. The numbers show that for us," Thomas said.

Thomas reiterated that 5 Pound Apparel will very much remain in business.

"We're just deciding to meet our customers where they are, and they're shopping with us online," she said.

Thomas said 5 Pound Apparel would offer free or low-cost shipping to local customers. The majority of wholesale accounts carry 5 Pound Apparel accessories such as belts, wallets and candles, she added.

Brina and Ben Thomas purchased 5 Pound Apparel in January 2017 from founder Bryan Simpson, who started the company in 2010, according to Springfield Business Journal archives. 

A Farmers Park location of 5 Pound Apparel closed in December 2020.