People in the Shoals area can now buy “retro, reclaimed and reinvented fashion” at the clothing store Southern Trash on Wood Avenue after its opening day March 31.

UNA graduate and Muscle Shoals native Milly Baine is the owner of Southern Trash.

Although Southern Trash has functioned online before becoming a physical store, the brand did not carry men’s clothing until now.

“There aren’t a lot of clothing shops for men to choose from, and I thought I could help fill that void,” she said. “I have a lot of help from my boyfriend, Austin Brent, in that department.”

Baine said the clothing at Southern Trash will be any clothing that has been part of the counterculture over the past 50 years.

“(Southern Trash clothing) has a Janice Joplin vibe,” Baine said. “Also, like an old man at a country gas station, the old biker dude, that’s my aesthetic.”

Potential customers can expect clothing that promotes individuality, according to Southern Trash’s Facebook page.

“I want people to feel original,” Baine said. “It’s not like going to Forever 21 or Urban Outfitters. When you buy vintage, you are wearing something maybe only a few other people have in the world.”

Freshman Jean An said the name drew her in.

“My first thought when I heard the name was, ‘Does that mean their clothes are rubbish?” she said. “I’ve never heard of the store, but I want to know more about Southern Trash now.”

The original name for the store was Trash Vintage, Baine said.

“It was really cool, but I love the South,” she said. “I believe it gets a bad reputation. I love how I can strike up a conversation with someone in a grocery store and meet so many friendly people. I wanted to have that message in my brand.”

Baine said she did not always want to open a clothing store.

“I worked at My Favorite things in downtown Florence, and my desire to have my own store came from watching (My Favorite Things store owner) Patty Clark have her own store and run it her way,” Baine said.

In contrast, Baine said she knew she wanted to be self-employed when she became an adult.

“I’ve always wanted to work for myself,” Baine said. “I’ve never liked the idea of working for someone else to make money. It gives me the freedom to do what I want, but there are more responsibilities involved.”

With the grand opening of Southern Trash, Baine will have the opportunity to own her own business, which she said she has wanted to do since she was a teenager.

For more information about Southern Trash, go to the store’s social media pages on Facebook and Twitter.