Our Story
While on a trip back “home” to Phoenix, Beth Boline visited her favorite restaurants and shops, and found herself missing them upon her return to Knoxville. Wanting the best of both Worlds, she found herself seeking a place in Knoxville where she could sell her (no longer wanted) clothing for cash, or trade them for something new. Unable to find it, she decided to create it - offering herself and others somewhere to buy, sell, and trade their clothing and accessories.
Beth saw a “For Rent” sign in the window of a small storefront on the (now hip) 100 block of South Gay Street, and signed a lease the next day. “I couldn’t afford a store and a place to live, so I snuck a mini fridge, microwave and a mattress in the loft.” There was a small bathroom with a shower in the back of the store, and she and her cat lived there together for the first year.
Waiting on tables for tips at night, and spending them at local thrift stores the next day, Beth eventually amassed enough inventory to open the store. On October 31, 1996, she opened her doors for the first time. Since then, she has moved several times, and grown the Knoxville store from 600 square feet to 7,200. The Alcoa store adds an additional 6,000 square feet.
Setting out to create a space that offered more than a product - Planet Xchange is more like a lifestyle. “In the beginning, there was absolutely nothing like it in East Tennessee - let alone Knoxville. I am so proud of the way it has been supported since the beginning.”
In addition to Planet Xchange, Boline opened a “clothing by the pound” store in 2019. It started in Etowah, Tennessee where Beth was able to purchase an affordable commercial space. Outgrowing its potential with such a small (but fiercely loyal) customer base - Greater Goods opened its Knoxville location in 2023. The store sells donated items, as well as out items that were slow to sell from Planet Xchange. A portion of the profits are shared with a local charity.
Visit any of our stores and see why Planet Xchange is East Tennessee’s most awarded resale store.
