Community

Specialties

COMMUNITY is Athens’ premier shop for locally handmade fashion, gifts, and home décor. German native Sanni Baumgaertner based the concept of her boutique on sustainability without the sacrifice of style. Featuring tastefully selected and redesigned vintage clothing, products by over 30 local designers and artisans, and offering sewing classes and alterations, this beautiful loft space across from the University of Georgia campus has been voted Athens’ Favorite Local Clothing Boutique three years in a row. COMMUNITY has been featured in The New York Times and Southern Living as one of Athens’ most exciting shopping destinations.

History

Established in 2010.

Since we opened our doors in the fall of 2010, the store concept has developed from a vintage boutique with a few redesigned pieces to a mostly handmade store, with our own clothing line called Community Service, handmade collections by Athens’ and Atlanta designers, and products by over 30 local makers and artisans. By giving local designers a showroom, and creating a meeting place, COMMUNITY has fostered the development of a vibrant fashion scene in Athens. The unique store concept has attracted local and national press: We have been featured in The New York Times, Southern Living, Ecosalon, and on MTV.

Meet the Business Owner

Sanni B.

Business Owner

Sanni moved to Athens in the late 90s as an exchange student from Germany to study at UGA. She quickly and deeply involved herself in the local music scene and decided to stay. For years she supported her musician lifestyle by selling vintage clothing. When she moved away from music in 2010, she turned this longtime passion into a business and opened Community. At the same time she started her line of redesigned vintage clothing called Community Service, and founded the Athens Fashion Collective together with a group of local creatives who were interested in producing fashion shows. With their bi-​annual showcases, the group has sparked a fashion scene that fosters the development of local designers and made in Georgia fashion.