Mindful Shopping at Valentina

          Light pours in through the wide front windows, adding a glimmer to the shiny, gold-clasped vintage bags hanging from every other corner. Flowers lie in a basket, ready to be dished out, and warm sweaters are neatly hung up on racks. In the middle of the room is a large, comfy green couch, and across from it stands a table covered in trinkets and treats. Valentina is a welcoming space full of character, thought, and community. 

          Valentina is a quaint vintage shop on  Main Street, where it is not uncommon to see classic denim, one-of-a-kind skirts, and special jewelry pieces. The store belongs to Carrie Pace, who sources the clothing and manages the storefront. Her journey to opening Valentina was unexpected, yet not surprising. Pace commented on her fashion background, explaining that she “worked for a small line…in the West Village” earlier in her life. The brand focused on sourcing fabric for small-batch, traditionally made garments with a focus on craftsmanship. “[Being] able to have a hand in design…and buying and selling [clothes]” helped teach Pace about the fashion world.

          Pace works to ensure Valentina lives up to exceptional environmental and social standards. She shared that she “likes to find [unique] things…from companies that are thoughtful and gentle on the environment…and put a lot of effort into the design and quality.” Pace prefers these companies because “they’re able to pour all their creative ideas into their products.” Individual beauty shines throughout Valentina—from dainty gold jewelry to hand-woven Moroccan baskets and fish vases, all items are harmoniously embedded within the store’s artful design, yet their uniqueness are still properly highlighted. The clothing within the store also shines with character (and incredible outfit-crafting potential) and is all thoughtfully sourced vintage. 

          The pieces in Valentina are undoubtedly well crafted and preserved; Pace herself points out that the older clothes “are made really well” and that “the quality is so much better” than clothing spit out by mass production companies. Repurchasing clothing is a great step towards living a more environmentally conscious life as well. In the owner’s eyes, “[repurchasing] is gentle on the environment…[and she] feels like [she] is [contributing to keeping good pieces] out of landfill[s].” Embracing vintage fashion is also a way to encourage others to look into more thoughtful practices in fashion and perhaps examine one’s buying practices. 

          Looking into Valentina’s future, Pace wishes for the place to be not just a store, but also a hub of easygoing comradery. She hopes that Valentina “can be a source that the community thinks of” for their special gifts and that the place can “be a place where people can come and gather.” “I really want to be a part of the community,” Pace comments, “I love when people pop in and we chat for a while.” Her sentiment was well-reflected during Valentina’s opening event, where everyone looked cheery with macaroons and clothing. It felt more like a friendly, family event than a business venture. So, when looking for a fashionable piece or spot to hang out at, look no further than Valentina.