Uptown Cheapskate

Uptown Cheapskate is a resale clothing franchise founded in 2008 in Salt Lake City, Utah, by siblings Chelsea Sloan Carroll, President, and Scott Sloan, Founder. The concept was developed in 2006 to give young adults an upscale place to buy and sell fashion rather than shop at a typical thrift store. Formal planning began in 2008 after Chelsea Sloan Carroll returned from a church service mission in Anchorage, Alaska. The siblings had previously worked at their parents' resale franchise, Kid to Kid, established in 1992. The brand serves teens and young adults with boutique style stores offering fashionable, gently used name brand items at accessible prices, with an emphasis on sustainability and community impact. As of November 2025, Franchise Business Review reported more than 140 stores nationwide, with 40 to 50 additional locations under development across the United States and Canada. Corporate operations are based at 39 E. Eagle Ridge Dr., #100, North Salt Lake, UT 84054, under BaseCamp Franchising. By the end of 2024, BaseCamp oversaw 270 Uptown Cheapskate and Kid to Kid stores in 31 U.S. states and several international markets, with hundreds of territories still available for development. Uptown Cheapskate operates within the U.S. secondhand apparel market, valued at $53 billion and projected to reach $79 billion by 2029.

The U.S. secondhand clothing industry generated approximately $53 billion in revenue in 2023 and is projected to exceed $70 billion by 2028. Secondhand apparel sales are expected to rise 11% annually through at least 2028, with the sector growing five times faster than traditional retail and the overall apparel market. Millennials and Gen Z represent the largest secondhand customer group, with 65% having purchased pre owned apparel, footwear, or accessories. Across all consumers, 52% have shopped for secondhand clothing. Consumers aged 25 to 44 increased their spending share in the resale sub industry by over 6% during the first 10 months of 2024 compared with the prior year. Affordability, concern about fast fashion's environmental effects, and interest in distinctive clothing support demand. Uptown Cheapskate reported keeping over 25 million gently used items out of landfills in 2024. Its stores generally sell items at 50% to 70% below original retail prices while giving customers a way to earn money from clothing they no longer want. The industry has also accelerated during economic downturns. Uptown Cheapskate differentiates its stores through an upscale, boutique style setting rather than a conventional thrift store.

The initial franchise fee is $25,000. Total startup investment estimates vary by market and build out requirements. Franchise Disclosure Documents from 2025 and 2026 report $328,000 to $597,000, October 2025 figures report $350,000 to $575,000, the 2024 FDD reports $345,959 to $575,334, and the 2020 FDD reports $301,579 to $491,579. Real estate improvements may cost $35,000 to $150,000. Exterior signs and graphics are estimated at $13,500 to $18,500, while interior signs are $2,000 to $5,000. Trade fixtures are estimated at $67,500 to $94,500, and computers and related equipment cost $18,502. The BaseCamp Software Suite carries a $15,000 software fee and a $15,000 installation fee. Other listed costs include $2,000 to $5,000 for a security camera system, $20,000 for grand opening promotion, and $70,000 to $90,000 for initial inventory. Working capital for the first three months is listed at $40,000 to $67,500 or $75,000 to $100,000. Applicants are expected to have liquid capital of $50,000 to $125,000, with some sources specifying $100,000 to $125,000, and a net worth of $200,000 to $400,000. BaseCamp Franchising is the brand's parent company.

Uptown Cheapskate uses a buy, sell, trade model. Customers may exchange gently used clothing, accessories, and footwear for cash or store credit, so franchisees need inventory controls and an understanding of fashion merchandising. A typical store employs 5 to 9 people. BaseCamp Franchising provides 73 hours of on the job training, 65 hours of classroom instruction, and additional hands on training at existing stores. Training covers setup, daily operations, marketing, financial coaching, and grand opening support. Corporate assistance includes strategic marketing plans, creative content, digital advertising campaigns, social media, local events, promotions, and loyalty program integration. Its finance team assists with business plans, loan applications, and banking relationships. The BaseCamp Software Suite supports marketing automation, lead generation, email sequences, and social media automation. Franchisees receive defined territories, and the Franchise Development team helps evaluate single unit or multi unit development opportunities. Market protection terms require review in the FDD.

Overall sales growth reached 62.6% to $96 million in 2021.

Uptown Cheapskate opened its first franchise location a few months after its pilot store in 2008. The system had more than 75 locations across the country in December 2022, reached 102 locations by May 2023, and had over 100 locations nationwide that same month. Other reported counts include more than 80 locations in 24 states by November 2025, 129 U.S. franchises in the 2025 FDD, over 130 locations nationwide as of September 2024 according to BizBuySell, and more than 140 stores nationwide according to Franchise Business Review in November 2025. Some sources report over 160 locations in 29 states. Another 40 to 50 stores are under development. BaseCamp Franchising operates in the United States and Canada and, by the end of 2024, had 270 Uptown Cheapskate and Kid to Kid stores in 31 U.S. states and several international markets. The company is seeking development in states such as New Jersey and New York. Tyler Gordon and Zach Gordon joined BaseCamp Franchising as Co Chief Executive Officers in 2022. Mel Green became Chief Technology Officer in 2022, and Ian joined as Creative Director in 2023. Founders Brent and Shauna Sloan remain involved on the Board of Directors.