A new Tucson vintage shop for 'guys super into band shirts'

Owner Abe Woodard has spent years curating a collection of vintage rock and heavy metal band T-shirts now for sale in his shop at 314 E. Sixth St. Opening a clothing store has been his longtime dream.

Woodard grew up in Green Valley and moved to Tucson at 18. He started his own clothing brand, “Wait,” in 2016.

“I always wanted to open a shop,” he said. “Back then it was going to be streetwear, but three years ago I started collecting vintage, so kind of just transitioned into being a vintage shop.”

At Almandel Vintage, Woodard focuses on curating vintage band T-shirts from groups such as Linkin Park, My Chemical Romance and The Rolling Stones. He said the niche was inspired by his love of music and his affinity for band T-shirts.

“I always wore band shirts growing up,” he said. “I've just always been into hardcore music and liked all genres of rock.”

Woodard started thrifting as a kid and would always search for new band shirts.

“I didn't really start collecting until three years ago when vintage blew up,” he said. “I just started collecting all sizes, not just my size.”

Two years ago, he started selling his vintage tees at Tempo, a weekly event at Hotel Congress.

“While I was doing that, I was also building my collection,” Woodard said. “I really wanted to curate something that's not as broad as other vintage shops, so that people that are into this type of stuff can have a place they can go to sell their old shirts or trade for a new one.”

Among the dozens of vintage shirts now hanging on the walls of Woodard’s shop are tees from bands including  Nickelback, Iron Maiden and Slipknot, as well as skateboarding and motocross styles, old Harley-Davidson T-shirts and designs from TV shows and movies.

“I’ve got a couple of horror shirts, a couple of Naruto shirts, some video games like Rock Band, World of Warcraft, Black Ops,” Woodard said. “I try to have a collection for everyone.”

There’s also a section of Arizona- and Tucson-specific shirts showcasing Western designs and T-shirts from local attractions such as Madera Canyon.

“I want my demographic to be guys my age that are super into band shirts,” he said. “I've had a bunch of that, but I definitely have a bunch of Tucson High kids, and then being around the student housing, I get a lot of university kids, too.”

The average shirt cost, Woodard said, is between $45 and $60, with some of the more rare or valuable shirts retailing for more than $100. He also has an “under $35” rack with a similar selection to the rest of the shop, though the items are a bit more modern.

“A lot of students have bought off that rack,” he said. “I know vintage can get really expensive, so I like to have something that could be $15.”

Woodard said he encourages people to bring in their own unwanted vintage band shirts, especially larger collections.

“I'm open to any offer,” he said. “I could offer them trade value and try to make it work.”

Going forward, Woodard said he hopes to expand his inventory and offerings, incorporating custom jewelry pieces and Almandel-branded merchandise.

“I'm trying to work with local jewelers, people from Tucson that do it by hand, that work metals and stuff, to first feature their work,” he said.

He is also hoping to soon add leather wallets, belts and bags.

For now, he wants to focus on growing his collection.

“I want to really refine and make the collection more curated,” he said. “Better shirts, better choices, niche bands and more shirts.”