PILSEN — It's now even easier to find good vintage in Pilsen — thanks to a partnership between local shops.
“Vintage on 18th” is an online collaboration between multiple vintage shops, including Pilsen Vintage and Thrift, Knee Deep Vintage, Comet Vintage, and Modern Cooperative.
The collaboration includes an online map, Facebook page, and website that connect the four shops and list information and tips to finding the best vintage in the neighborhood.
The Facebook page will also include vintage shopping tips and suggestions from the owners — all of whom live in the area — as well as recommendations about where to eat in Pilsen.
Paul Gazar, owner of Pilsen Vintage and Thrift, said while the concept is new, the local vintage shops have been looking out for each other for years.
“There’s a great sense of community in Pilsen. We just feel we need to stick together and help each other,” he said.
Gazar said when customers couldn’t find something in one store, shop owners will often send them on to another vintage shop in the area.
Before Gazar opened Pilsen Vintage and Thrift, he did some upholstery work for Knee Deep Vintage across the street at 1425 W. 18th St.
When Gazar mentioned upholstery work had been slow, Knee Deep co-owner Carlos Lourenco suggested Gazar open a vintage shop in Pilsen.
“I said, ‘You don’t mind? You don’t care about the competition?’ And he said, ‘No.’ So my store is an idea from Carlos,” Gazar said.
“I’m always encouraging people to open vintage shops in Pilsen,” Lourenco added. “I think the more the merrier. It’s more affordable here so you can actually make that happen.”
