Vintage Baltimore
Minás
Tucked away like a closet space of Baltimore culture, Minás - a small vintage boutique located in Hampden on The Avenue – boasts affordable prices and a sundry selection of vintage and new, old-school odds and ends, and local writings, music, and handmade items. Expertly organized and displayed on exposed brick walls, the fashion is quirky (pill-box and top-hats are some of the best), clean, and accessible: you’ll find dresses and sweaters, blazers and scarves, and scattered throughout, cheap modern pieces in the style of “new vintage” (if you’re unfamiliar with this term, it’s a fairly new phenomenon of entirely new clothing which mimics the style of vintage items). In addition to this, there are the things that set Minás apart from other vintage shops: retro model cars and tin toys, a collection of jazz and blues CD’s, harmonicas and Asian slippers, original postcards for 50 cents, and books (a collection from which you receive one for free with every purchase). And, even more stand out, is the upstairs of Minás – an airy gallery of natural light which acts as event space for poetry readings, exhibits for local artists, and even, if you’ll believe it, belly dancing. The jewelry is always what gets me: Minás has a wide assortment of estate and costume jewelry, as well as trays and trays of sterling silver rings adorned with beautiful stones of gypsy-delight. They also showcase hand-painted papier-mâché boxes and ornaments made in Kashmir, the designs intricately beautiful, and utterly unique. The prices at Minás range from about $10 for accessories/shoes to $65 for dresses and leather coats, and if you’re on a hunt for a distinctive gift, or just a toe in Baltimore’s best, Minás is sure to offer a wonderful selection – as well as a reason to escape to the idiosyncratic oasis of boutique culture that Hampden has to offer. -Dana Covit
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Mondays by Appointment, closed Tuesdays.
Store Hours 11-6 pm
410-732-4258
Accepts Credit Cards, but prefers cash.
The Zone
If you’re looking for an eye-catching silver necklace or something bold and bright, The Zone is the place to go. The Zone specializes in vibrant, colorful 1980s skirts and sterling silver jewelry, although their costume jewelry is great too. Their costume jewelry starts at about $2.50 for rings, and their most expensive costume jewelry necklace is around $24. Sterling silver jewelry starts at $18 for rings, and their pendants (which are absolutely stunning) go up to $140. They also have wigs in all sorts of colors and lengths, boas, fur coats, and sunglasses rimmed in orange, electric blue, green, if you’re putting together a costume. Near the front of the store, there are some great dresses—a mixture of “prom-like” and everyday-types, that average around $40 each. The Zone has a combination of vintage, gently used, and new—so feel free to mix and match! -Sara Simonian
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The Zone
813 N. Charles St.
Call for hours
(410) 539-2817
Accepts all credit cards, cash and checks
10 Car Pile-Up
10 Car Pile-Up is an explosion of vintage wonder and delight for the true retro-lover willing to spend a pretty penny on individual and truly unique pieces. With an enormous selection of pieces ranging from 60’s floral and gauze to 80’s acid wash, the racks are surprisingly organized, ordered by size and style, making an otherwise overwhelming collection utterly exciting (especially for an avid vintage lover, who scours eBay for finds and steals, to often be left in the dust of $80 end-bids). And though the prices are steeper than one hoping to find thrift-store bargains, they are still appropriate: the quality of beadwork on many of the dresses is stunning, and the jewelry which drapes and hangs like holiday ornaments above the register is distinctive and high-quality. The huge selection of accessories includes belts, scarves, bags piled high, and funky hats, and a range of shoes of modest heels, stripper platforms, oxford lace-ups (men’s and women’s), and gladiator sandals. In the end, 10 Car Pile-Up is not for the vintage amateur – it takes a trained eye to sort through the immense options crammed in the space, already busy with classic rock tunes and wildly decorated, hollowed out drum-kits, rim-caps for light fictures, and manikin-heads. But if you’re the type to dive right in, 10 Car Pile-Up is the place to find the most diverse selection, encompassing the most styles and decades, while still maintaining a level of order, a factor which the store-owner asserts is the key to good vintage shopping. Some of my favorites: a faux fur leopard jacket, an entire section of acid washed denim rompers, a Chaplin-esque bowler hat I happily snatched up, and enough sequins to blind the unwarned. No moth-balls here, just lots of retro rock and roll goodness. -Dana Covit
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10 Car Pile-Up
511 York Road.
410-832-5246
Call for hours.
Accepts Credit Cards, but prefers cash.
Vanessa’s Vintage
Come to Vanessa’s Vintage treasures to jazz up your kitchen, and to stock up on essentials for a bargain price. This place is bursting at the seams with linens—which is their specialty, cups, bowls, plates, great knick knacks as well as some fabulous funky jewelry. Their pearls are especially exquisite—whether you’re looking for white, pink, blue, long, short, a necklace, pin or ring—they’ve got it. Their vintage posters, articles and advertisements placed around the store add to the old family kitchen vibe. This place is not for the faint of heart, though—while they have a great selection, be prepared to dig and devote a lot of time to your search for the perfect accessories. In the end though, it will be well worth it If clothing is what you’re looking for, you’re better off checking out another store—although Vanessa’s has tons of stuff, their clothing section was rather limited. Depending on what you are looking for, Vanessa’s prices range from One dollar to 100 dollars. -Sara Simonian
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Vanessa Vintage
1132 S. Charles St.
Late Winter-Early Spring Hours:
Monday: Closed
Tuesday: 12:30-5:30
Wednesday-Friday: 11-6
Saturday: 11-7
Sunday: 12-4:30
(410) 752-3224
Accepts cash and personal check, but hopes to get credit cards later in the year.
Killer Trash Vintage
Killer Trash Vintage is not for the faint of heart. Perhaps the most “costume-ish” of the Baltimore vintage stores I’ve been in, Killer Trash offered the most crinoline, crushed velvet, and wacky hats I’ve seen. The 70’s seem to be raging in this jam-packed boutique– wildly printed blouses wedged tightly between delicate fringe, and fringed blue wigs; and it is indeed costume which the store specializes in. 1960’s and 1970’s “time-pieces” sell big, usually for theme parties, and the store employees often take the time to outfit a customer with the best options. However, decades represented start uniquely from the 1940’s to present. There’s also a nice selection of men’s blazers, jackets, fedoras, and zoot suits towards the back, but it’s the almost-exaggerated, and yet somehow just-right dresses that stood out to me: beautifully beaded cocktail dresses, floor-length black lace gowns, and a one delicate drop-waist cream dress all tempted me to cross the line from photographing to purchasing. And though most of the items are thoroughly off-kilter, and thus require some sartorial guts, I counted about six faux-fur animal print coats, and an entire rack of sequins: the necessary backbone to any good vintage boutique. The pricing is mid-range, items averaging between $20 and $45, and they have a small, but good selection of accessories (mostly belts, hats, and jewelry). The floor-to-ceiling organization leaves some to be desired, but it’s the extra-luxe, datedly glamorous pieces that make the digging enjoyable. If you’re a vintage pro (who can handle some sleaze), with some time to blow or a wild event to attend, Killer Trash in Fell’s Point is a definite gem in the sea of Baltimore vintage boutiques. -Dana Covit
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Killer Trash
602 South Broadway.
Open 11:30 – 6 pm daily.
(410) 675-2449
Accepts cash, Visa and Mastercard–no American Express
The Clothing Warehouse
If you’re new to vintage, Baltimore’s newest vintage shop, The Clothing Warehouse, is an excellent place to start. Their uber-friendly staff will be happy to help you, and the place is impeccably organized. Clothing is separated by type, gender and color. Even if you’re a seasoned vintage shopper, you have to check out their huge selection of cowboy boots–you can’t miss them! Their boots are around $50-$60, and dresses average around $40-$50. While you’re there, pick up some vests and leather jackets to compliment your boots and create a one of a kind ensemble. The Clothing Warehouse is also the place to go for sunglasses–they average around $18 each, and come in a variety of colors, styles and sizes. They don’t have too much jewlery, and they hope to get wigs in the near future. The shop just opened in June, and hopes to expand their selection soon. Like The Zone, The Clothing Warehouse has a mix of old and new–their accessories and bags are new, and all of their clothing and select sunglasses are vintage. -Sara Simonian
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The Clothing Warehouse
1211 S. Charles St.
(410) 244-6554
Monday-Saturday: 11-8pm
Sunday: 11-6pm
Accepts credit cards, cash and check
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February 28, 2010 1:37 amI actually think so too=P I have been searching around the internet for some time today, and its really hard to find something good to read on blogs:P Maybe thats because there are too many of those around =) But your place actually keeps catching my attention=) Great posts, and kawai design ^__^. Ill be sure to give it more visits from now on
October 9, 2010 4:41 pm