Vintage Boutique Offers Second Hand Chic

Saturday, June 23, 2012

Ashley Klann, GoLocalWorcester Contributor

If you're looking for that gently used, classically vintage piece of furniture or new addition to your wardrobe, visit My Trouvaille in Rochdale. The shop will be hosting their grand opening today!

“For our grand opening, we will have refreshments and giveaways for the first customers. We’re trying to make it a nice time and welcome people to come and browse,” said owner Linnea Sheldon. “They’re free to try on clothes, lay on the furniture. This isn’t the type of place where you can’t touch anything. We want it to be a very engaging, fun space.”

My Trouvaille will be a mixture of vintage finds, from knick knacks, to gently worn clothing. Sheldon says they also have a wide variety of classic, high end apparel, such as Oscar de la Renta.

"It's not all vintage stores you can walk in and find Oscar de la Renta pieces," she said. "We have a large collection of designer items and lots of furniture. It’s not a regular clothing or antique store."

But don’t think this new shop will break the bank.

Affordable Trends

"I am big on keeping my prices affordable. I think that’s going to be a draw for customers," Sheldon said. "Some places will take items and mark it up. They want to make the money."

While that’s what all store owners are hoping for, Sheldon says she would rather be able to hunt for new clothing and furniture and have a high circulation of new things than see the same items in her store for weeks.

"I’d rather have someone buy it, and have it and have that constant turn over rather than have an item hanging there. I want the customer to enjoy it," she said. "They can take it and wear it and I can be on the lookout for more items."

Sheldon is a huge fan of classic, retro and vintage items, so naturally there are some things that are harder for her to let go.

"I love vintage purses," she said. "A purse is great because it’ll fit you no matter what size you are. I have trouble letting them go, and they’re great to sell."

She's hoping to capitalize on a growing trend that both lets customers be unique and saves the environment.

"It’s definitely a trend. You’re not wasting anything and in many cases, it’s more affordable," Sheldon said. "Rather than going to Wal-Mart or Target to get something mass produced, you’re getting it used but in great shape. And it’s probably made better. It’s also unique."

Keeping It in the Family

Sheldon has family members in the business and is no stranger to the world of second hand and antiques.

“I grew up working in an antique shop. I’ve been collecting since I was little," she said. "I began collecting vintage and designer clothing and then started using Ebay and realized I could make money off of what I was doing."

Her cousin, also a purveyor of all things vintage, runs the traveling second hand clothing stop, Haberdash Vintage. She and Sheldon have worked together.

"It’s in the family," she said.

Hobby, Not Hoarding

Through Ebay and now her new store, Sheldon has found a way to turn a unique hobby into a workable venture.

"We both found a way to make a living off of our hobbies," she said. "Rather than become hoarders we decided to make a business out of it."

Sheldon says she always keeps her eyes open for old gems and can never let a good opportunity slip away. She also prides herself on being a do-it-yourselfer. Many of the furnishings she offers have been touched up or repainted, making them even better than before.

"I can’t pass something free on the side of the road without stopping," she said. "I do a lot of the work myself, too. I sand, paint, and cut things down. I can see the potential in a many pieces that a lot of people might not be able to see. I do church sales, yard sales, anything."

Don’t miss the opening of the Worcester area's newest antique and vintage boutique today, Saturday, June 22nd. My Trouvaille will be open today from noon to 4:00 and will feature a regular schedule of the first, third, and fifth Saturdays of the month with the same time each day. The store is located at 836 Pleasant Street in Rochdale.