Dallas' signature Ugly Christmas Sweater Shop has become something of an attraction every holiday season. Since local entrepreneur Jeremy Turner took his school bus-turned-vintage clothing shop off the road and into a pop-up location in 2013, he's seen people from all corners of the region come by.
That's why this year, Turner is making his tacky holiday garb available in more places.
In addition to the original store in East Dallas, the Ugly Christmas Sweater Shop is opening two new locations in Frisco and Fort Worth.
The Dallas shop opened Wednesday, Nov. 16, followed by the one in Frisco on Tuesday, Nov. 22. The Fort Worth location opens Friday, Nov. 25.
In addition to expanding its footprint, the Ugly Christmas Sweater Shop will also be expanding its offerings. Locals will now be able to rent tacky treasures for half their retail price. Customers pay the full price up front as a deposit and, upon return, they will be reimbursed. And if you decide you love the sweater too much to give it back? Turner says its fine to keep it, though you won't recoup any of your deposit.
Patrons are also invited to return any ugly sweaters they own for $8-$10 worth of store credit, Turner says, even if the items were not previously purchased from the Ugly Christmas Sweater Shop. Add in free milk and cookies and 'nog pong, and Turner is hoping the holiday cheer will be inescapable.
"We really want each store to be a Christmas sweater party every day," Turner says.
Turner has called ugly Christmas sweaters a holiday tradition since he began selling them on the Vintage Mobile, a bus he converted to a vintage clothing store. And he's not the only one tapping into this trend. In 2015, another place called the Ugly Christmas Sweater Store opened in Inwood Village, marking the first time Dallas ever had two options for these niche products.
But Turner attests there's plenty of demand to go around. In its first year, the Ugly Christmas Sweater Shop sold 5,000 pieces of clothing and it has eclipsed that every season since despite increased competition.
"Our store did awesome still," Turner says. "We did so good we decided it's time now to give the people what they want."
The Ugly Christmas Sweater Shop (Dallas) will be open Nov. 15 through Dec. 24. It is located in the Mockingbird Commons (6333 E. Mockingbird Ln.) shopping center in East Dallas between Einstein Bros. Bagels and Eagle Postal Center. Hours of operation are Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Sunday noon to 6 p.m.
The Ugly Christmas Sweater Shop (Frisco) will be open Nov. 22 through Dec. 24. It is located in the Centre at Preston Ridge (3301 Preston Rd.) shopping center near Corner Bakery. Hours of operation are Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Sunday noon to 6 p.m.
The Ugly Christmas Sweater Shop (Fort Worth) will be open Nov. 25 through Dec. 24. It is located at 3020 W. 7th St., Suite 240 near T-Mobile. Hours of operation are Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Sunday noon to 6 p.m.
Also keep an eye out for Turner's new ride, a 1983 station wagon with a Christmas tree strapped to the top. He's running a social media contest that rewards winners with a trip in the car to NorthPark Center to visit Santa. Simply snap a picture and post it using #UglyChristmasSweaterShop to enter.
See some of our favorite sweaters from years past:
