Luckily for local vintage clothing connoisseurs, there is no shortage of spots in the Twin Cities. The hunt for a one-of-a-kind graphic tee, pair of statement sunglasses, or 1960s-era frock could lead you to locations in Minneapolis, St. Paul, or even online. Even if you’ve already got some standbys, a slew of newcomers that entered the vintage stratosphere this year are worth checking out.
Twelve-year Twin Cities vintage veteran Jessie Witte, owner of AudreyRose Vintage, has seen an “explosion” of new sellers in the community recently. “It’s really thrilling. Especially during the pandemic… a lot of people took that leap of working for themselves,” Witte says. “It’s nice to see this appreciation for vintage clothing—to give these items a second, third, or fourth life.”
The pandemic gave Witte time to develop a new storefront in south Minneapolis. “Welcome to my brain,” she says. Opened June 10, it is AudreyRose’s first permanent location. Witte previously operated out of her home and then a shared studio space at the Northrup King Building.
She wasn’t the only one making big moves and acting on life goals realized during the COVID-19 crisis. Sellers Glam Diggers Vintage, Everyday Ejiji, and May Day Vintage decided now is the time to collaborate on their first-ever storefront in south Minneapolis, Atelier 4501.
Molli Slade of Glam Diggers Vintage has collected vintage her whole life, favoring clothing with a sense of humor and drama, she says, and accessible to everyone—from drag queen clientele to grandparents. But within her home, she had accumulated so many pieces that her husband and daughter were on the brink of a “revolt.”
“I outgrew my own collection,” Slade says. “I wanted an official spot.”
Courtesy Ashley Becerra
Everyday Ejiji founder and curator Ashley Becerra sees herself as one of Slade’s protégés. Like Slade, her colorful, eclectic vintage collection began to engulf her home. Both women envision Atelier 4501 to be a place where everyone is included, no matter their size or background.
“I feel like vintage used to have that energy that was either your grandma’s old [items] that no one wants or a Dior gown that is thousands of dollars that not everyone can afford,” Becerra says. “It’s really cool to see vintage and second-hand shops pop up where you can shop every day and fill a wardrobe.”
In Northeast, Yana Pietras and Ian O’Neill just opened Moth Oddities, a collection of their finds from travels around the U.S., plus vintage straight from Northern Italy. After meeting in college and spending many date nights hunting for vintage, their own vintage operation evolved into an online shop in 2014 and grew to include a traveling pop-up shop.
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“We always had the end-goal of opening up a shop and when we saw our dream building was available, we knew we had to take the leap,” Pietras says. “The pandemic gave us time to reflect on things and reprioritize.”
Moth Oddities is joining the broader Twin Cities vintage community, which is not only growing but brimming with shoppers searching for sustainable, unique fashion and furnishings.
“Social media platforms like Instagram, Depop, [and] Etsy have made selling a lot more approachable and user friendly,” says O’Neill. “Vintage in general has become more popular recently because it is inherently eco-friendly in that it’s centered around reusing items that already exist.”
Many of these store owners will continue to use Instagram as another means to attract customers and sell vintage. The power of the platform is clear—a large outcrop of Twin Cities sellers exists solely online.
“I’m seeing vintage become more approachable,” says Becerra. “It’s very refreshing.”
Explore Twin Cities Vintage
Minneapolis
Atelier 4501
South Minneapolis
@atelier4501 / @glamdiggersvintage / @everydayejiji / @maybabyvintage
Hours: By appointment
This South Minneapolis-based “atelier” combines the powers of Glam Diggers Vintage, Everyday Ejiji, and May Baby Vintage. Within Glam Diggers’ collection, one can find eclectic, over-the-top garments for people looking to express themselves. Everyday Ejiji carries colorful, versatile vintage gems. Slinging vintage and preloved clothes and accessories, May Baby Vintage has a variety of funky, fresh items.
AudreyRose Vintage
2237 E. 38th St., Minneapolis
Hours: Wednesday, 3-9 p.m., Thursday-Friday, 11 a.m.-6 p.m., Saturday, 11 a.m.-5 p.m., Sunday, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
At AudreyRose Vintage, which celebrated its grand opening in early June 2021, you’ll find everything from a curated collection of ‘80s furniture to statement jewelry to antiques. Stay for the cool dressing room dubbed the “Cloud Lounge” that will make trying on your vintage finds extra fun.
Moth Oddities
2201 NE Second St., Minneapolis
Hours: Friday-Saturday 12-6 p.m., Sunday 12-5 p.m.
Specializing in curated clothing, accessories, and home-goods from the 1950s to ‘90s, the owners of Moth Oddities have sourced their collection from across the U.S. and Italy. Before finding their home in Northeast, the owners spent seven years selling vintage online and on the road.
St. Paul
Style Society Shop
453 Seventh St. W., St. Paul
Hours: Friday, 11 a.m.-5 p.m., Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Sunday, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
Style Society is one-part vintage store, floral gallery, and furniture and décor rental operation. Its vintage collection ranges from funky to charming, with a selection of clothing, home décor, and unique furniture. It also carries “beautiful blooms for badass babes”; Style Society’s storefront features a dry stem bar, and custom floral arrangement and installation services.
Online-Only
Ric Rac Goods
@ricracgoods / ricracgoods.com
St. Paul-based sisters founded Ric Rac Goods while unemployed during the pandemic. On Ric Rac’s Instagram, one can find everything from home goods and furniture to vintage clothing and accessories.
Rosella Vintage
Launched in May 2021, Rosella Vintage is operated by Jahna Peloquin, a Minneapolis-based vintage collector, style writer, and fashion stylist. Rosella Vintage features fashion spanning nearly every era (from the ‘20s to Y2K). Peloquin sells the collection via Instagram in addition to occasional pop-up and vintage market appearances.
