TNAADO · The Dispatch
Mark Innocentes's love for individualism through fashion is apparent in his closet, stacked to the brim with '90s sneakers, snapbacks, and archival sportswear sets from Nike. What began in 2013 during his high-school years as a side hobby of scouring vintage archives for rare '90s sportswear soon became a never-ending chase for his next statement closet piece to step out in.
"It was just about being unique. Being the only person in the city with that hat or that piece of clothing." Mark Innocentes, Ragstop
That passion would eventually transform into Ragstop, a Toronto-founded business built entirely on decades of generational nostalgia for the iconic closet pieces that defined a generation two decades ago, that are now being sought out. Innocentes began to recognize that his love for Y2K vintage and novelty fashion was expanding across generations, with him noticing a trend of shoppers turning toward the quality and craftsmanship of historical garments over fast-fashion corporations. That recognition led him to start an online-only vintage clothing retailer built around his initial sportswear collection.
By 2019, Ragstop had grown to its own store location at Mississauga's Erin Mills Town Centre. Ragstop's line features curated vintage sportswear pieces from Nike, Carhartt, and Adidas, alongside collectibles of digital cameras, Pokémon cards, comics, and pop-culture memorabilia that would make any '90s kid swoon. It's not just '90s kids either — Generation Z's longing to recapture a previous generation's fashion has come full circle with the revival of Y2K swinging back into the status quo, which only enhances the popularity of curated shops like Ragstop.
It's no wonder why many seem to be embracing archival fashion; the once outdated clothes are seen as a hot commodity, fuelled by a digitalized sphere of today's celebrity "it girls" like Olivia Rodrigo and Addison Rae flaunting low-rise jeans in their off-duty paparazzi shoots, alongside early 2000s–coded looks being funnelled onto the red carpet.
90% of Canadian consumers have engaged with a thrift store through shopping, donating, or both — and more than 40% of Gen Z are thrifters, according to a 2024 Value Village Thrift Report. But the appeal of second-hand fashion isn't solely spun from social media algorithms. Nostalgia is a feeling researchers describe as inherited more than remembered; it is passed down through media, family, and the stories generations tell each other, whether or not anyone in the room actually lived it. That's precisely what Ragstop captures through its community-centred hub, hosting its own recurring Nostalgic Market that has built a network of over seven thousand vintage and collectible lovers across the city.This year's Toronto Pride marked the business's first appearance as a vendor during the festivities. Innocentes's partner, who joined him at the booth, spoke about the excitement of meeting new customers who share their love of collectibles and the joy of sharing childhood memories around them.
Innocentes considers himself lucky to find himself in a position where business and passion go hand in hand. Rather than business owners chasing quick-turnaround profits or instant gratification, he believes his own business success lies in it being intertwined with his personal passions.
"Just do it. But do it because you're passionate about it, not just for the money. Be consistent, be humble, and be honest." Mark Innocentes, Ragstop
