We are gearing up for our Grand Opening on March 10th! If you are in the Philadelphia area, please join us for some sweet treats and local wine from the vineyards along the Brandywine Valley Wine Trail. Highland Orchards will be sampling some of their yummy products as well. We'll be there from 10am to 5pm, and if you are lucky, you'll get to meet my mom and 92-year-old grandmom. The shop will also be open on Sunday from 11am to 4pm, when the celebration will continue. But only if there are leftovers.
Thanks to all of the blog readers, friends, family and neighbors who visited the shop during the past two "practice" weekends. It was so nice to finally meet some Facebook commenters in person.
We've only been open for a total of four days, but we've already had to do some re-arranging after selling a few BIG items, like a set of lockers and a couple of card catalogs (don't worry - we have more of each, waiting in the wings).
My friend Mary is responsible for the card catalogs and many more primo vintage finds. She already has a booming Etsy shop called Vidalia's Vintage, and will be selling at the freshvintage shop, too. Here she is, helping us set up shop a few weeks ago (I promise, we were not showing stag films on that aqua projector screen).
Mary's vintage biz is a little side project that feeds her addiction to old stuff - she is actually the founder of The Town Dish, a local network of foodie websites, and Dish Trip, a cool food/travel site in partnership with Southwest Airlines. She'll be dishing on all of the fun fresh food news at the Orchard.
My sister, Erin, will also be selling her vintage finds at the shop, just like she does at Brandywine View Antiques in Chadds Ford. She and her husband, Doug, will be at the Grand Opening. If we twist his arm just a little, I'm sure he would do a reading from the infamous blog post about his famous ancestors.
For all of you far, far away readers, I promised some photos...
Our medical cabinet that lights up when you open it (my most favorite thing in the store):
Vintage-style reproduction dish towels:
Tool cart-turned-bar cart:
Mason jar vases:
Antique mason jar soap dispensers (the jars are old but the stainless steel top is new).
HUGE globes and vintage sex ed books (that contain pictures of huge globes).
Vintage metal bed with matching bedside table and adorable floral chandelier. Oh, and Jesus. Can't forget him!
Cardboard signs from funny Pennsylvania towns, including Blue Ball. (I don't know if "2" refers the distance in miles, or the number of balls in question.)
More cool stuff:
Even more cool stuff:
Antique fruit crate used as shelving, and a Brownie camera:
Wine-inspired candles!
It was tough to pick a line of candles to sell in the shop, but I fell in love with Rewined Candles after I saw them on this design website. The deal was sealed after I smelled the samples that they sent me. I particularly love that they are clean-burning soy, are made in the USA and poured into hand-cut recycled wine bottles. Perfection!
If you are planning to visit the shop for the Grand Opening (or any time we are open), I would encourage you to visit some of the other antique shops in the area. Make a day of it! These are all within 15 minutes from freshvintage:
And, if you are looking to get a meal after your day of antiquing and donut-eating, I recommend Four Dogs Tavern for a few beers and plate of calamari and a flatbread. And sit by the cozy fire. (And then when it gets warmer, sit outside on the patio). For even more restaurant recommendations, take a look at West Chester Dish.
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A big thanks to my friend & neighbor, Erin Klimas, for taking most of the above photos. She also takes beautiful family portraits (in the Philly/Delaware areas). Thanks, Erin!
wish I lived closer....lots of goodies in those photos!!
Posted by: bev | March 05, 2012 at 08:59 PM
YAY YAY YAY! See you Saturday! XOXOX
Posted by: Sue | March 05, 2012 at 09:19 PM
Oh so hard to look at when I live across the country from you.....everything looks fantastic.
You and those candles are a match made in Heaven. It's as though they had you in mind when they came up with the idea.
I don't know what's funnier - that Blue Ball is in Amish country, or that it's in the same region as the town of Intercourse.
Posted by: Maria (Magia Mia) | March 05, 2012 at 09:25 PM
loved my visit this saturday--and my new champagne candle!
Posted by: chelsea | March 05, 2012 at 09:26 PM
Wish I lived closer! Everything looks amazing! :)
Posted by: Melissa | March 05, 2012 at 09:44 PM
Sue's going to be there too?!! I'm missing everything! Not. Fair.
Have a great Grand Opening (even if I have to miss it). That light up medical cabinet makes me weep.
Posted by: Into Vintage | March 05, 2012 at 10:30 PM
Congratulations! I'm definitely going to visit when I need some new display pieces. You have the eye! Really happy for your new venture and wish you much luck.
Posted by: Michele/Perch Home | March 06, 2012 at 08:19 AM
This is exciting news! I live just a mile from Highland Orchards so I can't wait to check out your new digs! Congratulations and good luck with the Grand Opening!
Posted by: Carla Wilson | March 06, 2012 at 08:37 AM
Was all of this stuff in your house?? I love that floral chandelier! How long of a drive is it from Nebraska?!
Posted by: Melissa K. in Nebraska | March 06, 2012 at 10:59 AM
Yes, Melissa K - most of it was in my house! And somehow, our garage is still packed.
Posted by: colleen | March 06, 2012 at 03:39 PM
Looking fantastic!!! I must mapquest you guys!!! We are in NJ!!! ROAD TRIP!!!!!
Congrats!! And Best Wishes!!!
xo Jenny Holiday
Posted by: jenny holiday | March 07, 2012 at 12:00 AM
awe-some...hoping to make it there this weekend!
d e n i s e
Posted by: denise sabia | March 09, 2012 at 05:16 PM
Hey, Melissa K... pick me up on your way to the shop, will ya? I'm in Chicago!
The store looks ultra cool Colleen -- Congrats!
Posted by: SamovarKath | March 19, 2012 at 01:13 AM
congrats on your shop! wish i lived near you...
your style is totally my style! found you via My Favorite Find :)
following your blog now too!
do you ever sell/ship items you show in your shop photos on your blog?
Posted by: Stacey@ A Sort Of Fairytale | March 20, 2012 at 03:25 PM
Hi Stacey- Yes, we do sell ship from our website. Shoot me an email with whatever you are interested your zip code, and I can let you know the cost. Thanks!
Posted by: freshvintage | March 20, 2012 at 05:37 PM