Latinx-Owned Vintage Shops You'll Want to Buy From
Vintage shopping is an exhilarating experience. It is like a treasure hunt, where you search for buried pieces of gold among all that a store has to offer. If you are at a great vintage shop, the owners have saved you some of the trouble by curating pieces that they know are must-haves. But the thrill of the hunt is still the same–you’re there to find that next old-school clothing item or bauble that you simply cannot live without.
Within the vintage world, there are several Latinx stores that consistently hit it out of the park. You find yourself endlessly scrolling their Instagram, making wish lists out of their online inventory, and wanting to be friends with their proprietors. We want you to know about these amazing shops and the amazing people behind them. So, here are the Latinx-owned vintage shops you’ll want to buy from.
Monique Gatillon is the peruana behind the technicolour dream shop, LA Retro Girl. Based in Los Angeles, the vintage store specializes in colourful, printed 1960s and ‘70s dresses and jumpsuits. You can nab these throwback gems by DMing directly on Instagram, or you can join in on a bidding post for items like a cheery orange Chanel bag.
DM to purchase; Website coming Summer 2021
Another Latinx-owned vintage store that should be on your radar is Graciela Ronconi’s Love Street Vintage. The store held court on Haight Street in San Francisco for many years before moving to Balboa Street. But the 1960s and ‘70s hippie vibes remain; this is where you shop for gorgeous turquoise and other Southwestern American Indian jewelry, boho maxi dresses, suede galore, vintage oversized sunglasses, and more.
1801 Balboa Street, San Francisco lovestreetsf.com
Our next fab Latinx-owned shop takes us from SF to NOLA and NYC. This is where Afro-Latina Yannique Joseph, styles and sells rad clothes from the 1960s to the ‘90s, inspired by a fateful trip to Hawaii. Think neon pops of colour, funky prints and patterns, and clothing that demands attention. Shop online, and/or check out one of Ohana Vintage’s pop-up shops.
Speaking of pop-ups, Pop Up Home in West Hollywood is the brilliant creation of Puerto Rican Tricia Benitez Beanum. The locale sells the coolest, sleekest, most artistic furniture you would want to put in your home. In addition, she offers interior stylist services, rentals, consignment, and more. Added bonus? The West Hollywood space also houses Beanum and fellow Boricua’s Sarah Mantilla Griffin, PhD’s, art space called UNREPD.
927 N Sycamore Ave., Los Angeles, popuphome.com
It’s no surprise that some of the best vintage stores to shop from are in California. The West Coast’s international mix of cultures, appreciation for history and vintage, vicinity to Hollywood, and more make the Golden State a destination for those who want quality, unique vintage clothing. Sandra Mendoza’s Debutante Clothing is located in Pomona, where she sells vintage clothing, accessories, and decor, from the 1920s to the ‘80s. You can also nab Debutante Clothing goods at one of Sandra’s pop-ups, or simply by DMing regarding a post on Instagram.
351 South Thomas St., Pomona, debutanteclothing.com
Another destination for superb boho vintage home decor finds is mandana blvd. Created and run by Afro-Latina Cristina Ramos and her partner Nu Goteh, mandana is a home-based business that started in Oakland before moving to Los Angeles. The vibe is sleek, warm, boho-chic: think tons of wood, wicker and rattan; earthy neutral hues (with some fun pops of colour); beaucoup plants; and both vintage and contemporary finds that you’ll instantly want to drop in the online cart.
In Denton in North Texas, Anisa Gutierrez is supplying vintage to the masses with Fresa Thrift. She describes the business on her Instagram page as “fun curated vintage”–you’ll find colourful glassware, novelty sweaters and tees, cool handbags, boho home decor, and more. You can shop Fresa Thrift through depop, Etsy, directly on Instagram through DM, and at the Fresa Thrift online store.
Janelle Gonzales is the proprietor of LunaSol Mexican Vintage in Whittier, which she describes on her Instagram account as “a specialty store with a focus in Mexican vintage, books, art, and jewelry.” The vibrant locale is brimming with Mexican embroidered clothing, ornate vintage jewelry, pieces celebrating Frida Kahlo, items honouring La Virgen de Guadalupe, earthy handmade pottery, and more. You can call LunaSol to set up an in-store appointment to shop, and/or DM to nab that gorgeous Mexican find.
6711 Bright Ave., Whittier
You have to feel at home when a vintage store is called Casita. It’s “a little shop in LA curated by a little lady,” according to Puerto Rican-Mexican Melissa Daniel Sandoval shop’s Instagram. Here is the home of the 1980s-does-1930s-Art-Deco. Sleek furniture and decor, golden brass, black lacquer, statement kitchenware and glassware, and everything you expect from the decade of glam and excess.
DM to purchase; local pickup and shipping (fees apply)
Also in Los Angeles, you’ll find Tami Vergara’s Nice Vintage (also a name that makes you feel happy). Her sourced goods and furniture also have that sleek, and severe-in-a-good-way, ‘80s Art Deco decor aesthetic. Think tall, brass torchiere lamps; geometric mirrors, cool marble tables, smooth cream-coloured lacquer, and more.
DM to purchase