Whether it’s for the holidays or just an average Saturday, shopping vintage never seems to go out of style.
by Katie Johnson
Salvaged from the dustbin of history, vintage items are often diamonds in the rough that deserve our attention – and Buffalo has got plenty of options
Who Doesn’t Love a Comeback Story?
From denim overalls to orange sofas, for those who have a flair for design, finding cool vintage items is a hobby that lends to an appreciation of a time gone by—and for some the future yet to come.
Timeless Style
Jay Chromcraft, Owner of Funky Town Vintage, says that 70s furniture is “always going to look futuristic … always going to look contemporary.”
“I just thought I was the only nut who liked this stuff,” joked Jay Chromcraft, Owner of Funky Town Vintage in Williamsville. Focusing on mid-century furniture, Jay opened his shop two years ago, sourcing from around the country looking to bring back a time when furniture was actually fun.
“You know, everything today is gray, and the same thing . . . you go to Raymour & Flanigan and you see the same set, with the little chaise piece . . . everything’s earth tones . . . and it’s terrible . . . the seventies, it was really funky and groovy and velvety . . . it was just cooler,” explained Jay.
“Fiberglass and plastics and Elvis . . when you get something from a vintage store it may just be one piece, like the iconic egg chair, but you can just put it in the corner of your house and it’s never going to look old. It’s always going to look futuristic . . . it’s always going to look contemporary.”
Quality For Less
At Sarah’s Vintage & Estate Jewelry, you can find a “signature piece … that nobody else will have, and actually save a great deal of money.”
President of Sarah’s Vintage & Estate Jewelry, Sarah Blawat, has traveled the world sourcing some of the best vintage jewelry. Running her quaint Williamsville shop for over 15 years now, she continues to find the caliber of a vintage item trending more remarkable than something you could often find new now. “Things that were made prior to the 1980s are really well made … in its construction and the materials that were used, the purity of the materials … the quality is there.”
Revealing the “deal” that naturally comes when shopping for an older piece, “ … generally speaking vintage jewelry is about 50% less than modern jewelry mostly because it kind of falls under the category of pre-owned … so it’s a great opportunity to find something really well made, special, unique, something that kind of becomes a signature piece of yours that nobody else will have, and actually save a great deal of money.”
Environmental Extras
Besides finding high-quality, curated selections of great clothing at a consignment shop like Keepsake Consignment, you’re also giving the planet a breather by not investing in the environmentally-damaging fashion industry
Not only good for your wallet, shopping vintage is inherently good for the world. “There is so much waste and pollution created from the fashion industry,” explains Elena Robertson, Owner of Keepsake Consignment, a vintage women’s clothing shop on Potomac Avenue in Buffalo. “I’m hoping that more people start shopping vintage and realizing the impact it has on the future of our planet.”
“If you do buy new, make sure it’s something you really want, take care of it, and resell it once you’re done wearing it … donate it to shelters in the area instead of a Goodwill or Salvation Army. Most of the clothing donated there ends up in landfills.”
Buffalo Niagara Vintage Stores
Locally owned and operated, finding vintage treasures has never been easier with over 30 collectors across Western New York. Even with the ever changing time, most always offer access to their epic inventory online or a by appointment option.
Scoop Shop
Consignment | 648 Auburn Ave, Buffalo, NY 14222
Queen City Vintage
Clothing | 1478 Hertel Ave, Buffalo, NY 14216
Second Chic
Consignment | 810 Elmwood Ave, Buffalo, NY 14222
My Cuzin Vintage
Clothing | 168 Elmwood Ave, Buffalo, NY 14201
Gothic City Collector’s Cove
Furniture & Decor | 168 Elmwood Ave, Buffalo, NY 14201
Coocoou
Furniture & Decor | 111 Tonawanda St, Buffalo, NY 14207
Paloma Exchange
Consignment | 363 Grant St, Buffalo, NY 14213
Buffalo Antiques
Furniture & Decor | 1539 Hertel Ave, Buffalo, NY 14216
The Story Garage
Furniture & Decor | 1875 Niagara St, Buffalo, NY 14207
Larry’s Antiques
Furniture & Decor | 181 Elmwood Ave, Buffalo, NY 14201
Antique Lamp Co and Gift Emporium
Furniture & Decor | 1213 Hertel Ave, Buffalo, NY 14216
White Dog Vintage
Home Goods | 1241 Hertel Ave, Buffalo, NY 14216
Queen City Antiques
Furniture & Decor | 1484 Hertel Ave, Buffalo, NY 14216
Side by Side Antiques
Home Goods | 26 Abbott Rd, Buffalo, NY 14220
Funky Town Vintage
Furniture & Decor | 1165 Wehrle Dr, Buffalo, NY 14221
Sloan’s Antiques
Furniture & Decor | 730 William St, Buffalo, NY 14206
METAGAMA
Home Goods | 43 W Tupper St, Buffalo, NY 14202
The Serendipity Shoppe
Home Goods | 1 Symphony Cir, Buffalo, NY 14201
The Painted Lady
Clothing | 3147 Delaware Ave, Buffalo, NY 14217
Generation Antiques & Collectibles
Home Goods | 216 Highland Pkwy, Buffalo, NY 14223
The Mulberry Tree
Furniture & Decor | 49 Main St, Tonawanda, NY 14150
Vintage Grace
Furniture & Decor | 90 Central Ave, Lancaster, NY 14086
The Old Chapel Antique & Artisan Market
Furniture & Decor | 172 Robinson St, North Tonawanda, NY 14120
Clothes Mentor
Consignment | 1030 Niagara Falls Blvd, Tonawanda, NY 14150
Aurum Jewelers
Jewelry | 487 Elmwood Ave, Buffalo, NY 14222
Mimo Decor
Furniture & Decor | 1251 Hertel Ave, Buffalo, NY 14216
Stella’s Vintage Finds
Furniture & Decor | 2995 Alternate Blvd, Grand Island, NY 14072
Hertel Home Consignment
Consignment | 1390 Hertel Ave, Buffalo, NY 14216
Sarah’s Vintage & Estate Jewelry
Jewelry | 5459 Main St, Williamsville, NY 14221
Tesori
Consignment | 5688 Main St, Williamsville, NY
Ritzy Rags
Consignment | 4060 Union Rd, Buffalo, NY
Carousel
Consignment | 6094 Main St, Williamsville, NY
Clarence Hollow Antique Mall & Bonadio Country Store
Antiques | 11111 Main St, Clarence, NY
P Squared on Sheridan
Antiques | 1946 Colvin Blvd, Tonawanda, NY
Cats Like Us
Clothing | 67 Main St, Tonawanda, NY
What do you think of our WNY Vintage Lover’s Shopping Guide? Have a favorite vintage shop on our list? Know a great one that we missed? Let us know.
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