Since coming to campus last fall, the Mount Royal University (MRU) vintage clothing market has become a staple that students look forward to when the seasons change.
It returned to the upstairs section of MRU’s Wyckham House, on the west side of campus above the food court, earlier this month, adding to the handful of times that it has happened since it launched this time last year.
The next market is tentatively scheduled for early February 2027, bringing another round of curated second-hand style directly to students at an affordable price — something many have come to appreciate.
“Can’t wait for the next one,” one comment read under an Instagram post advertising the market back in August, with another from an upcoming graduate reading, “I hope to come support you guys one last time.”
Most don’t realize it exists because of one man, and since he is neither a current MRU student nor an alum, what has become a beloved campus event almost didn’t happen.
Behind the vendor tables selling everything from thrifted shirts to premium denim and refurbished watches is Ray Ejike — organizer of Back2School Vintage and a Calgary-based fashion entrepreneur.
Outside the market, Ejike runs another vintage fashion business, sourcing and selling women’s apparel on platforms like eBay, Poshmark, and Depop, building on his five years of industry experience.
His sales methods have recently shifted from the traditional in-person approach to e-commerce, including recruiting buyers by livestreaming merchandise on social media. Ejike said his observations are what brought him back to the basics of in-person shopping.
“One thing kept sticking out, one thing kept making me uneasy,” he said.
“When you look at the demographic of the people who shop vintage, second-hand stuff, the whole drive is actually coming from the younger Gen Z, so it kept bugging me why we are not bringing this to the people who are actually pushing this buzz.”
Turning cold emails into campus traditions
Toward the end of last summer, Ejike emailed MRU and its separate entity, the Students Association of Mount Royal University (SAMRU), an elected body of governors who advocate on behalf of the students, to pitch the idea.
At first, he said it wasn’t easy.
“Our policies around bringing in sort of external vendors are pretty not — they’re pretty strict in scope, I would say,” said Logan Rudolfsen, SAMRU’s events and entertainment manager.
“We’re just always trying to be respectful and conscious of the fact that Wyckham House is a student space and it’s for students, and so we try to be really aware of the vendors that we bring into the space.”
In the months leading up to the first market in fall 2025, Rudolfsen served as the rentals coordinator and was Ejike’s main point of contact. He said Back2School Vintage set itself apart by aiming to fill a gap rather than reinvent the wheel.
“A lot of vendors and markets are really looking to take over and make it into their own,” said Rudolfsen.
“That’s not what Ray was really focused on when he brought the idea to us.”
SAMRU eventually agreed to make it happen not only because of Ejike’s respect for the venue, but also because the market inherently helped students, which Rudolfsen said is the bottom line behind the association’s decisions.
“That’s something that we’re really focused on, is making sure that every time we bring a vendor in or an event in, that it’s something we believe is going to be beneficial to students in some way,” he said.
“The fact that vintage clothing sales are kind of like a sustainable option for shopping, that was really exciting to present that to students and then give them access to a market on campus.”
Sustainable, student-priced fashion a top priority, says organizer
Since the first market was a hit with students, Ejike said SAMRU has been especially accommodating about hosting it in the future, and it’ll continue to run in the fall and winter semesters, saying that there have been discussions about maybe doing a spring one, too.
He said the sustainability aspect is at the heart of the event, since second-hand items are automatically better for the environment than fast-fashion alternatives. However, Ejike’s primary goal was to keep prices low.
“I was once a student as well, and student life is very, very, very — can get very hectic and overwhelming,” he said.
“Worrying about your fees, worrying about how to cope in school, worrying about all that stuff, and also worrying about clothes, because you have to show up.”
By bringing trendy, stylish items that won’t break the bank directly to students, Ejike said this lets them express their identity and feel good about themselves without adding to the mental burden of pursuing a post-secondary education.
Back2School Vintage does this by selecting 10 to 12 small, locally owned vendors and adjusting prices to match what the average student can afford.
If an item’s regulated price still feels too high, Ejike said they also offer sale bins with products priced at no more than $10. Ultimately, he hopes everyone feels included and that no one leaves empty-handed.
Ejike said he’s proud to have spearheaded the market and excited about possible future expansion, clarifying that he doesn’t intend to tell people how to shop, but to meet them in the middle and give them choices.
“I’m very proud of being able to trust the process and my instincts, and being able to understand that there is a need,” he said.
“Even though that life may be hard, life may be difficult for a student, but this part of a student’s life can be easier.”
The best part, he said, is its unforeseen impact on campus culture.
“We’re living in a time where people are so disconnected by what’s going on around them,” said Ejike.
“Events like this bring together the students, so they get to know some of their friends who like cool stuff, too.”
