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UPDATE: This story was updated at 10:12 a.m. on Wednesday, April 22, 2026.

A vintage Syracuse crewneck is displayed onscreen, with its worn lettering shown at just the right angle. As comments start to fill the chat of the Instagram livestream, the bidding war begins.

This is what a typical Thursday and Sunday looks like for Lauren Felasco.

“I have always loved thrifting and like the thrill of finding hidden treasures,” Felasco said. “I’ve loved that for as long as I can remember.”

Born and raised in Syracuse, 31-year-old Felasco is the founder and owner of the online and pop-up thrift boutique, Lo Bou. The business sells secondhand clothing, accessories and vintage Syracuse University merchandise — her most popular items.

After she went on a mission trip to Ecuador, she met a woman who found eclectic pieces around the world and sold them once she returned to the United States. Felasco began doing something similar, picking up goods during her time traveling and selling them back home in Syracuse. What initially began as a simple hobby turned into Lo Bou, which opened in 2019.

But in 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic hit, Felasco stopped traveling. She knew she needed to pivot from finding items internationally if she was going to continue selling, she said. That began her love for thrifting in her local community and making her finds accessible to others through Instagram.

Felasco conducts her Instagram livestreams twice a week, selling items in an auction format with customers bidding on pieces in the live chat. She said this has taken off as a primary way for people to buy from her because of its convenience and accessibility.

Oftentimes, customers ask how Felasco is able to find such good-quality items in the secondhand market. Felasco’s response is the same every time.

“You aren’t thrifting the right way. You aren’t looking at every single item on the rack,” Felasco said. “When I go thrifting, I’m there for hours, and I’m also sourcing for all sizes. I have a broader range because I’m sourcing for everybody.”

When Felasco enters a thrift store to begin sourcing, her goal is always to leave with a full outfit compiled, but that takes time.

Lauren Felasco (left) and a customer hold a Syracuse University sweatshirt at Monday’s pop-up boutique. Felasco’s most popular items are vintage Syracuse merchandise. Alex Rice | Asst. Copy Editor

As of March, Lo Bou has set up a permanent shop in Pulse Lagree Fitness studio in North Syracuse, selling a selection of secondhand clothes and accessories. Some of the items cater toward the fitness community, selling leggings, sports bras and crewnecks, said Ashlee Fiorini, owner of Pulse Lagree.

Fiorini said it was natural to partner with Felasco, since the two have known each other since high school and a lot of Felasco’s family are members at Pulse Lagree.

“I love her motto,” Fiorini said. “It’s just like, there’s enough clothes out there. There’s all these amazing pieces, brand new with tags, maybe we could have some available at the studio.”

While running Lo Bou, Felasco works part-time teaching at Pure Barre in Syracuse and full-time managing Saunacuse Infrared Sauna Studio, two places where she has also hosted Lo Bou pop-ups. Felasco has built connections with her audience and customers, especially since a lot of the local people who shop from her get to meet her in person when they pick up their items, she said.

“I consider some of them my friends now, which is really funny,” Felasco said. “I wouldn’t have met these people otherwise. Whether they are Syracuse locals or natives, this platform has led me to friendships.”

An important part of Lo Bou’s brand is supporting other small businesses, Felasco said. For three years, she’s highlighted local businesses through her “12 Days of Giveaways” that she facilitates on her Instagram during the holiday season.

For each day of the giveaway, Felasco posts a new small business where customers can learn about them and have a chance to win a free service from their brand, like a free photography session or a free week of fitness classes.

Felasco sees working with small businesses as mutually beneficial because they’re able to get their names out there together, she said.

Felasco also participates in local nonprofit events such as the Kara Fund Fashion Show, styling the models in head-to-toe Lo Bou outfits in support of sick children and their families.

This year in March, in participation with the fashion show, she dressed kids, men and women all in vintage SU merchandise. The items in the show, along with raffles, were sold to attendees. All the funds were donated to the foundation. Felasco said it “means everything” to be able to support her community.

Lo Bou sells accessories like watches and earrings alongside clothing. Lauren Felasco hand-selects these “treasures” to sell. Alex Rice | Asst. Copy Editor

Felasco’s boyfriend, Doug Bailey, works as the director of field marketing for ayrloom, a New York-based cannabis brand. On Monday, ayrloom hosted a pop-up event at Westcott’s Rise N Shine Diner, with Lo Bou as one of the featured vendors.

Bailey said part of the appeal of Felasco’s business is its accessibility. Most people don’t have time to go out and find pieces for themselves, so she’s able to tap into a diverse product lineup, he said.

Lo Bou is for people of all ages, Felasco said.

“I have 17 to 18 people graduating from high school shopping with me, and then I have grandmas shopping with me, like my grandma watches every single one of my live sales,” Felasco said. “That’s what’s cool, clothes don’t judge, so it can be for anybody.”

In the future, Felasco plans to continue selling her thrifted items in Pulse Lagree and participate in more Syracuse pop-ups. She hopes this eventually becomes her full-time job.

“Lo Bou has made me grow as a person because I get to talk to people I wouldn’t normally talk to, and I get to have these experiences in the community that I probably wouldn’t otherwise have,” Felasco said. “So I think as cheesy as it sounds, it has shaped me as a person.”

Correction: A previous version of this article’s headline misspelled the boutique’s name. It is Lo Bou. The Daily Orange regrets this error.

Published on April 21, 2026 at 11:01 pm
Contact Alex: arice19@syr.edu