It’s 9:30 on a frigid, cloudy Saturday morning in February as vendors unload clothing racks and set up their stations outside and inside the garage at R. House.
They’re preparing for the early-bird rush at Vintagepalooza, a bi-monthly shopping event that unites more than 40 local dealers to show off their best apparel, accessories, houseware, and other goods.
This month marks the fifth anniversary of the event, which began as a small gathering that founder Donovan Levy—also the curator of Trash Closet—organized for a few of his friends before COVID-19 hit. The very first market was on March 7, 2020 at the Ottobar. At that time, Levy says, Baltimore didn’t have many frequent thrifting events.
“We just kind of wanted to put something together to sell things in person to other vintage lovers,” Levy says.
Levy’s interest in vintage began during his time in college, when he bought clothes from thrift stores. Over time, people would ask where he would get the pieces, and he thought it would be a good side hustle to begin selling items on his own.
“I always had an interest in not dressing like everyone else,” Levy says, “and I just wanted a unique way to express myself.”
When Vintagepalooza began in 2020, Levy gathered 15 people he knew in the area who were willing to put out a rack or two of clothes. Since then, he has seen significant growth, with 100-120 interested vendors from around the region applying per market.
Tori Knight and Shannon Rineer, behind Pennsylvania-based The Riders Return, say coming to this event has helped expand their sales by allowing them to have more face time with customers. They previously ran separate booths, but merged their businesses last summer.
“Not only business, but friendships as well,” Rineer says. “It’s expanded a community for us.”
Hannah Sindi of Rezbar & Dee Vintage comes all the way from Harpers Ferry, West Virginia to sell her finds at Vintagepalooza. Though she’s only been participating in markets for the past year and a half, she’s loved vintage for as long as she can remember.
“I remember if I got $20 as a kid, I could make it stretch at the thrift store,” Sindi says. “I learned quickly that I could get more for my money at thrifts, so I thrifted my entire life.”
The next Vintagepalooza, a spring show, is scheduled for Sunday, April 6, from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. at R. House. Overall, Levy is proud to be able to offer so much creative talent for Baltimoreans to explore, all in one space.
“We consumers can see some vintage styles on Instagram, TikTok, and other social media platforms,” he says. “[But here,] the whole community of shoppers and collectors are brought into one room. Before, there were not many spaces that did that.”