Thrift Junkie Vintage Boutique…Here’s a Peek (Shop Small Business)

Shop Small Business Saturday is on November 26th. Small Business Saturday is a nationwide movement to celebrate small businesses and to help communities thrive, created by American Express in 2010. For several years now I have featured small businesses in our area prior to the 26th, giving you a peek inside the stores and showing you some of the unique items each business has to offer (that you won’t find at the mall or in large chain stores.) You know, one thing I have discovered these past years is that most small business owners support and look out for one another. If I can’ find what I’m looking for at one place, they will helpfully suggest another shop I might find what I’m looking for. It’s just an overall good-spirited feeling I get with smaller businesses.

 

THRIFT JUNKIE VINTAGE BOUTIQUE –

Fairly new to our area, and located in downtown Colorado Springs, Thrift Junkie Vintage Boutique is a small but treasure-packed shop that I fell in love with the second I walked in.

The day my friend Ashley and I visited the shop was the day after the election. Before even meeting the owner, I knew I’d like her, just based on this…

Thrift Junkie Vintage Boutique is a curated gallery of vintage and vintage-inspired items, with very affordable prices. It’s the perfect place to find a fun or unusual gift for a loved one, or yourself, without dropping big bucks.

Owner Lauren Salant, who has an infectious and bubbly personality, making you feel as if you’ve known her forever after the first hello, is passionate about taking care of our planet. The premise behind her love for all things vintage is lowering our carbon footprint by buying second-hand and vintage, preventing them from ending up in landfills and giving “these gorgeous artifacts a second life.”

Lauren has such a variety of items, you never know what you might find. But one thing I think you’ll always be able to find is a selection of anything and everything owl. From wall hangings to clothing items, knickknacks and more…

Of course when Ashley and I “visit” a new place, we have to shop too! And model…

Lauren, who is originally from St. Louis, Missouri, moved to  California after college and then to Greece before discovering Colorado Springs. Lauren was in a 3-piece folk group with two other women, she was singer-songwriter and played guitar as well, when she first came to Colorado. She was on tour and played a show at the Ancient Mariner in Manitou Springs and loved it so much, three months later she moved here.

The shop itself is small but Lauren utilizes every inch of space without making it feel claustrophobic.

The charming Lauren Salant…

In 2010 when Lauren lived in Arcata, California, she started Thrift Junkie Vintage out of a little olive suitcase. Literally. She painted her logo, with an owl as part of her logo of course, on that little olive suitcase and traveled to the local farm and art market in town. There she would sell vintage scarves and knickknacks, along with handmade jewelry and other crafts directly out of the suitcase. (That suitcase is now proudly displayed in front of her storefront every day.)

In 2015, after she had moved here, Lauren opened Thrift Junkie Vintage Mobile, which as you might have guessed, she operated from out of a vehicle. It was a 1962 camper that she gutted and renovated to make a fashion shop on wheels. In that, she would go to local farm and art markets, including the Ivywild, Fifty Fifty Coffee Shop, Shuga’s, and the Aha Art Gallery for First Fridays. Lauren operated Thrift Junkie Vintage Mobile this way while simultaneously teaching for Harrison School District and serving at Shuga’s in order to save money to open a brick and mortar shop…

And in June of 2016, Lauren realized her dream and signed the lease for Thrift Junkie Vintage Boutique at 522 N. Tejon, downtown Colorado Springs.

She always has some great sales going on!

Outside checking more great deals…and new to taking selfies! Obviously.

Ashley’s so much fun to shop with! I told her she should get this gem for a little something casual to run errands in…ha!

I found tons of fun items for Christmas gifts, stocking fillers, and hostess gifts.

Lauren has an eye for fashion and will gladly help you put an outfit together. While Ashley and I were in the store there was a woman who tried on this gorgeous sweater and purchased it. She also tried something else on that wasn’t truly flattering and I liked how Lauren was honest with her instead of trying to make an additional sale. Like your girlfriend would be on a shopping spree.

I also heard Lauren talking about a few items in the store, filling the shopper in on the history behind the pieces. I love that when she can, she learns about previous owners and keeps the history alive.

She also supports other locals.

Lauren told me her love of vintage started when she was in middle school, feeling out-of-place with her short curvy body and large curly hair. Her mom showed her album covers featuring women like Stevie Nicks, Carol King, Carly Simon, and Tina Turner. Lauren said, “She showed me what powerful strength came from the ‘large curly hair’ and then took me to my first vintage store to pick out an outfit that emulated those strong rock stars.” She shared that she instantly felt at home and gained confidence in herself. And she wanted to share that feeling.

A few more peeks at all the unique and fun items Lauren has to offer. And there’s always something new to discover.

Lauren is having a blast with her new boutique and makes visiting and shopping a fun experience for her customers. She shares her life with her amazing boyfriend, Nick and her boxer/Rhodesian ridgeback mix dog, Cora, who she says is the love of her life. (Probably another reason I instantly felt drawn to her, a fellow pet lover.)

There is a sincerity about Lauren. I love how she still remembers that feeling of confidence she experienced with the help of her mom and how she wants to bring that confidence to women everywhere. She said, “Having this store helps women find unique pieces that speak to them and perhaps boosts or helps build confidence in others.”

I know a lot of our readers aren’t in the Colorado Springs area but I’m sure there are lots of unique small businesses in your own area. Remember Shop Small Business is Saturday, November 26th. Shopping small not only helps that business, but it helps enrich the entire community.

And if you are in the area, stop in and mention 719Woman and Lauren will give you 10% off your entire purchase. Shop with her on Saturday, November 26th, and enjoy discounts, giveaways, coupons, and treats to celebrate Small Business Saturday.

http://www.thriftjunkievintage.com/