For our blog readers that follow Cathie's "Sincerely Vintage" column in the collector, here is her article from our August issue.

 SINCERELY VINTAGE

by Cathie Cox

 

On the prowl for retro in Utah?

Here are five of your best bets:

Decades, 627 S State St, Salt Lake City, 801-537-1357, Mon-Sat 11-6; Sun 12-5.  Love vintage clothing?  Then you should run to Decades, where the inventory is endless with plenty of retro in the mix, and the prices are incredibly reasonable.  Owner Justin Ferguson, who has been collecting vintage clothing since he was very young and has experience in theater costuming, says the prices “make it fun if you come. . . and then leave with something.”  An example – most cowboy boots are in the $24-35 range.  Out-of-state customers will fill bag after bag – to take home for resale.  As for selection – let’s just say you’ll be impressed.  Mens’ and womens’, all sizes.  Dresses, tops, bottoms, shoes & boots, handbags, coats, furs, hats, ties, jewelry, even a suitcase full of suspenders!  Ferguson says the quality with older pieces is amazing, making it a considerable value, plus you won’t see anybody else in your outfit.  Got a thing for retro clothing? Decades is your store. . . .

 

Mini’s Cupcakes, 14 E 800 S, Salt Lake City, 801-363-0608, Mon 10-5:30; Tues-Fri 8-5:30; Sat 10-5 and 1751 S 1100 E, Sugarhouse, 801-746-2208, Mon-Sat 10-6:30.  In the mood for a snack after some serious retro shopping?  Then stop in at Mini’s where authentic retro is as plentiful as cream cheese frosting.  Owner Leslie Fiet has retro in her blood.  She begged her grandma to give her the retro lamp in the basement – at age 11.  80% of her clothes are vintage.  In her shops you’ll enjoy your food on a 50s Formica and chrome table with vinyl chairs, or maybe you’ll curl up on a vintage sofa next to one of those retro lamps.  Mini’s is based on what Fiet remembers as “a better time.”  “My grandma baked everything from scratch.  The way we bake is from the way Grandma would have done it,” she says.  So “come in and sit on Grandma’s couch and eat a cupcake.”  They also have incredible box lunches.  BTW, my favorite cupcake is “The Diva” – dark Belgium chocolate with pink crème cheese frosting.

Now and Again, 501 E. 300 S. Salt Lake City, 801-364-0664, Mon-Fri 10-6; Sat 11-6.  Ask Now and Again owner Michael Sanders to define “retro” and you better be prepared to stay a while.  After all, he has carved a niche in Utah – defining the term via his shop, which is perfectly stuffed with “an eclectic mix of retro, vintage and mid-century modern. . . .”  Those retro lamps you eat by at Mini’s – buy them at Now and Again.  Looking for one of those sofas?  Ditto.  Just about anything you could want for your retro home you’ll find here.  Sanders has designed his store based on his definition of retro: “items from the recent past – whimsical – vibrant colors – forced organic shapes – over the top.  Think orange lamps, kidney tables, turquoise fabric.”  Welcome, Utah, to Now and Again.  

Retro Betty, 2821 S 2300 E, Salt Lake City, 801-467-2222, Mon-Sat 11-7.  One step over the threshold into Retro Betty and you’ll know you’ve come to a “happy place”. . . and one conversation with owner Amanda Parrish will confirm that.  Named after Mad Men character Betty Draper, this small yet incredibly charming shop houses colorful 60s-style home décor, upcycled furniture and amazing retro clothing that’s displayed professionally and priced so you can get a bag-full without draining your wallet.  Parrish says she got her love of vintage from her mom, who took her to flea markets in the South when she was a child.  Retro Betty celebrates its one-year anniversary in September.

Retro Rose, 207 E Broadway (300 S), Salt Lake City, 801-364-7979, Mon-Sat 11-6.  “As long as you have one beautiful thing in each room, you’ll always have a conversation piece,” declares Marci Rasmussen, owner of Retro Rose and the sole buyer for the store – which happens to be overloaded with “conversation pieces.”  It’s like a candy store for retro enthusiasts, and I promise you won’t be able to stop buying at just one piece.  Artfully decorated by color with “out of the ordinary” retro-abilia, Ramussen says her emphasis when purchasing merchandise is on color, quality, and usability.  Retro Rose has been in business for 12 years, and you won’t come away disappointed if you truly love retro.

Sincerely, Cathie