What a difference 300 feet make! For Malena’s Vintage Boutique in downtown West Chester, moving just 300 feet down Gay Street means more window space for eye-catching displays, better access to parking, and, most exciting of all, more room for Malena Martinez’s carefully curated collection of vintage apparel and accessories.
Now at 101 West Gay Street, Malena’s will have been in business for nine years in June, and this move has been in the works since fall 2011. Malena described the move, layout and design of her new space as a group effort among her friends, family, and even customers. Christina DelVescovo, a frequent customer and interior designer, was particularly helpful during the design phase. Malena settled on a clean, streamlined mid-century modern design, which helps the boutique maintain a cohesive feel, even though it features a diverse array of vintage pieces spanning from 1900 to 1980.
Perhaps the most noticeable difference is the thirty feet of recessed window space, whereas the previous location boasted only five. Malena plans to redesign her window displays at the beginning of each month. She set the bar high — currently, the window features an antique Vespa, borrowed from a friend, and a couple of dreamy party dresses perfect for spring and summer. Other highlights of the new location include a new jewelry case in which everything is priced at $28 or less, as well as larger dressing rooms in which to try on an endless number of unique vintage pieces.
Malena’s online business will also receive a boost due to an office and storage space, which she didn’t have in the prior location. She said many of her online customers are also local, and they check her site throughout the day and either buy online or call her to hold items for them.
Thanks in part to the popularity of shows like Mad Men, Malena said that more people are buying vintage now than when she first started the business. She believes that vintage is for everyone, and she can find vintage pieces to suit even those who think vintage is not for them, but who are looking for something a little different.
Malena acquires her stock by purchasing directly from regular people rather than consignment. She selects vintage pieces that harmonize with or complement current styles. Her well-edited and trend-conscious inventory makes it easy to seamlessly integrate vintage pieces into one’s modern wardrobe.
Malena advised that customers should stop by often. She has new items daily, and you never know what you’ll find.
Find coupons to Malena’s Vintage Boutique during the Vintage Garage Sale, coming soon to West Chester during First Fridays from 4 to 9 p.m; May through August in the Chestnut Street Parking Garage. This vintage sale, paired with Cupcake War-winning Dia Doce and other food vendors, is sure to have something for everyone. Also in conjunction with the Vintage Garage Sale’s debut on May 4, Malena’s is hosting a big First Friday sale, rolling out an additional rack of spring dresses just for this day! The jewelry cases will additionally be over-flowing, and what’s even better yet is that from 11 am – 9 pm, every single thing in stock will be on sale (yes, everything!). Plus, during the entire month of May, she’s hosting a raffle for one lucky local to win a $100 gift card. Raffle tickets are $1 each and all proceeds will benefit the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.
Photos credited to Sarah Alderman and Malena’s.
