The Loot Halifax: The vintage store that feels like community

There’s a certain kind of store you walk into and instantly feel held. Like you’re not just browsing racks, you’re stepping into someone’s vision, their taste, their care.

That’s what it felt like the first time I walked into The Loot.

Sitting down with owner Anna Campbell, that feeling returned—hearing the story behind the space, the values behind the curation and the very real reason this shop has become a Halifax staple for people who love clothes and love their city.

Side hustle to storefront

The Loot’s story started long before it had a storefront. Anna first began selling vintage through eBay and Depop, all while bartending full-time. As the clothing took over her apartment, she rented a small studio space to store pieces and photograph for her online shop.

At the time, she was sourcing in a mix of ways; buying from wholesalers and thrifting when she could. Eventually, she began to buy directly from customers who brought pieces in. This sourcing method became a defining part of how The Loot operates today.

While working out of the studio, she realized that Halifax didn’t have many places doing curated vintage in a way that felt intentional, current and accessible to all shoppers.

“There was a hole in the local market,” she said.

So, she opened the studio to the public, and it worked better than she expected.

When her lease in the North End ended in 2021, Anna made the leap and moved to the well-known, well-loved Barrington Street location. That decision was risky, especially coming out of COVID-19, but it’s a part of what makes her story not only fashion, but resilience.

Anna's curation used to focus more on trendy pieces that would sell quickly. Now it’s about quality, textiles and clothing that last far beyond a micro-trend cycle. Pieces that feel like you, not like something an algorithm told you to wear.

“I really just love old weird stuff,” she said.

The Loot permits people to dress for themselves. To find the unexpected. To leave with a piece that feels personal, not performative.

Ethical fashion in practice

As someone newly involved with DSEF, I was curious how Anna defines ethical fashion.

“The most sustainable thing you can do is wear the clothing you already have,” she said.

Anna also pointed out that the way we consume fashion today is heavily shaped by social media.

“The algorithm plays a huge role. People are fed different realities. And we can't always judge someone— access, education and money matter.”

Even recognizing overconsumption for what it is can be a privilege.

Vintage keeps clothing in circulation. It keeps pieces out of landfills. It encourages people to buy intentionally rather than impulsively. Anna even talked about mending and repairs, treating clothing like something worth restoring instead of replacing.

At The Loot, ethical fashion isn’t a label. It’s a practice of care.

Why students?

It’s easy as a student to stay inside the campus bubble. But supporting local businesses is how you start to feel connected to the city you live in.

When you shop at The Loot, you’re not just buying a jacket or a pair of jeans, you’re supporting a local business owner, her staff and the community that makes Halifax what it is.

“It’s a no-pressure environment. We genuinely love helping people,” she said.

You don’t have to know fashion. You don’t have to buy anything. You can browse, chat and exist in the space. That kind of atmosphere is rare, and students deserve a space like that.

If you want clothes that feel unique, a store that feels like a community and a way to support local while you’re a student:

Go to The Loot.