When Factory Outlets Really Were

I recently found a brochure advertising what was a big part of my fashion life in the 1970s – the Vanderbilt Manufacturing Company outlet store. I’ve written about Vanderbilt before so I’ll not repeat the story here, but do check out these two old posts that tell a fascinating story of what was an important manufacturing concern in Asheville.

By 1970 Vanderbilt (no connection to the Biltmore Estate) was primarily a maker of women’s blouses and separates under the Langtry label. There were two factory stores, including one in a fabulous old rock building that dated to when that part of West Asheville provided accommodations for tourists. The building was most likely a restaurant, and ironically enough it was located where my beloved Goodwill bins are now.

There were two outlets, but unless we were looking for fabric, we usually went to the rock building. The other store had big bins of fabrics, what were bolt ends and discontinued yardage. It was sold by the pound, and it was a true treasure hunt. Best of all, the stores were open on Sunday (a rarity in an area where Sunday “blue laws” were just beginning to be done away with). Many Sunday afternoons were spent with my sister and mother bargain shopping at Vanderbilt.

It truly was a bargain hunt. In those days makers used the outlets to sell factory seconds, items that did not pass inspection. It might be due to a dirty smudge, a sewing error, or a flaw in the fabric. But among the damaged goods were plenty of fixable treasures at fantastic prices.

It wasn’t until years later that I found about the relationship between Langtry and Blue Jay Knitting. This fabric mill was located in Asheville near the second outlet. It helps explain why there was so much fabric for sale.

These knitting machines knit in the round. These pieces were great for making tee shirts and dresses.

The sewing floor had over three hundred machines.

This is the cutting room. The fabric would be spread out over the 130 feet long tables in layers.

The day of the mill-connected factory story is pretty much gone, though I hear the Pendleton Woolens store is pretty amazing. Are there any others I should know about?