LOCAL SPOTLIGHT — ROCK CANDY VINTAGE
This month we took a trip to the eccentric town of New Paltz to visit another local, female owned business - Rock Candy Vintage. This cute apparel & accessory shop is nestled in the heart of New paltz’ main street and focuses on selling authentically vintage pieces.
Rock Candy Vintage opened its doors in April of 2018. Owner Candace Schuster had a previous career in textile conservation and worked for multiple museums in the area. Once she decided to slow down, the opportunity of renting this space fell in her lap. As an admirer of the space when it was occupied by the previous retailer, it felt like a no brainer for Candace & we totally understand why...
As soon as you walk in, your met with the refreshing smell of lavender and peppermint. There is plenty of natural light coming in through the front windows, creating a warm and inviting feeling. Our favorite feature is the exposed brick walls that lines most of the store (we’re such suckers for industrial interiors!). All throughout the shop you’ll see framed abstract art pieces that add just the right touch of refined style to the raw, vintage shop.
What makes this shop so unique is the level of authenticity the pieces have. Every item is over 25 years old! So no, this is not just a collection of used items, it is the cream of the crop vintage. Candace is intentional about working with the right vendors to find the trendiest styles that are unmistakably vintage. Before placing styles on the floor, each item is cleaned, pressed, and repaired (if needed). This type of care taken on pieces makes them feel as good as new, something you don't always experience when shopping vintage clothing.
Although RCV specializes in vintage apparel & jewelry, they also have a cozy section of homegood & accessories! As soon as you walk in the store, you’ll notice a beautifully merchandised tables with tote bags, scarves, candles, art prints & more. When it comes to bringing newly made items, Candace loves to think small. It’s very important to her that the vendors she chooses to work with are local, women owned or give back to the community. Some of the products in the shop are actually all 3!
She also believes in supporting new artists by giving them a platform to sell their work. The art prints available in RCV are made by artist attending the local college. Along with her life long love of vintage, sustainable fashion is another reason RCV was created. Stores like these, seek to shrink the amount of waste produced by the fashion industry & encourages shoppers to buy consciously.
Creating a space with these core values is, as Candace expressed, her small contribution to building a better world.
Visiting Rock Candy Vintage was such an amazing experience, and meeting Candace was an even bigger pleasure! Stories like hers reminds us of why shopping local is important. We encourage our readers to visit this local gem & to LIVE, WORK, GROW, PLAY AND SHOP IN THE HUDSON VALLEY!
