A new generation, men and women in their 20s and 30s, have begun to open brick and mortar storefronts after building their brands and reputations online via etsy and by selling in Chicago and the greater Midwest through flea markets, pop up partnerships and mobile shops housed in classic campers. Market Supply Co, slated to open tomorrow night, embodies the spirit of three companies that came together to create what they describe as a General Store with a twist. The collaborative effort is one part vintage clothing and accessories shop, one part classic barber shop and one part handmade eco-friendly jewelry studio.Situated near the intersection of 18th Street and Halsted in the Pilsen neighborhood of Chicago, Market Supply Co. is steps away from dozens of art galleries and live/work lofts and just down the street from what has become a vintage district. They're the newest addition to an area that houses the pioneer of the neighborhood's vintage scene, Knee Deep Vintage, a men's and women's clothing and accessory shop that opened six years ago in 2007. Other nearby stores include Pilsen Vintage & Thrift, Revival A Go Go (just opened this summer) and a recently expanded Modern Co-Op, a vintage home decor and furniture store that will be celebrating their grand opening tomorrow in the historic Thalia Hall.
Market Supply Co. opens just over a month after the co-owners signed their lease. It's astounding to see how well merchandised and polished the shop looks considering the time frame for the buildout. The tall ceilings and white painted pressed tin ceiling lend an airiness to the space and reclaimed wood fixtures are the perfect backdrop for rows of rugged Made in the USA leather boots, cozy flannel shirts and tweed jackets. Clean, white walls allow the objects for sale, like a dainty straw 1940s hat adorned with berries or a 1960s pair of leopard shoes, to also become objects of art. Market Supply Co. feels like a boutique without the pretension, everything is well organized and displayed but the shop also feels cozy and inviting. A sitting area in the front featuring a gorgeous deep green leather Chesterfield couch invites the customer to sit a while and contemplate his or her next purchase (or perhaps peruse a vintage copy of "Playboy" magazine). There's also no need to worry about musty smells or "as is" items, each piece of clothing is selected by Karyn or Mike for the shop and then hand washed and repaired before it goes on the sales floor. The shop itself even smells lightly of orchids, due to a few well placed candles.
As Dethrose Vintage, Midnorth Mercantile and Clyde's Rebirth all started as autonomous brands they all have their own strong aesthetic but their offerings also mingle well together in the collective space. Merl's jewelry studio and supplies are in a cozy corner in the back of the shop but her necklaces can be seen paired with a 1950s Dethrose Vintage dress on a mannequin. The three friends will likely all be present in the shop every business day, with Merl working on jewelry and hosting eco-styling workshops, Mike offering barbering and mustache/beard trimming services, and Karyn managing the store merchandising, window displays and customer service.
The grand opening of Market Supply Co. is Friday the 13th, from 6PM to 10PM at 1747 S Halsted in the Pilsen neighborhood. Their hours will be Wednesday-Saturday 12PM-7PM and Sundays 12PM-5PM. Their website will be up soon but in the meantime "like" their Facebook page for updates.
Enjoy this photographic sneak peek of the shop, the inventory will be constantly rotating, so if you see something you like be sure to visit soon.
Karyn Dethrow, Dethrose Vintage
I've known Karyn three years now, when we met she was working a full-time day job and selling curated vintage clothing part-time on etsy. Since then she's gone on to sell at local shows like Vintage Heaven, The Vintage Bazaar Flea Market, and The Randolph Street Market. Last year she joined forces with Jen Style Vintage to create Silver Tin Vintage, a mobile shop housed in a 1950s camper. Silver Tin travelled to the grandaddy of markets, the Brimfield Flea Market in Massachusetts, and also did pop up sales around the city of Chicago. With over a decade of retail merchandising and management job experience, it's easy to see why Karyn went on to co-own a shop. Always impeccably dressed and coiffured in vintage (she especially loves the 1930s, 1940s and 1970s), Karyn truly shows her passion for the business every day.
Merl Kinzie, Clyde's Rebirth
I'd describe Merl as a contemporary Renaissance Woman, she's a talented photographer, jewelry maker and stylist. She's particularly interested in using upcycled materials in her pieces and promoting eco-friendly clothing and beauty/health products. In the future she'll be offering styling services at the shop and appointments for custom jewelry services.
"Mustache Mike", Midnorth Mercantile
Before moving to Chicago from Minneapolis, Mike ran his own successful barbershop and clothing store dedicated to vintage heritage brands Made in the USA. He's been featured in several online publications including CNN Living, "Thrillist" and "Urban Daddy." Like Karyn, (who happens to be his fiance), he demonstrates a love of the era he sells every day by sporting classic 1940s workwear and a well trimmed mustache.
It's exciting to see my friends and their businesses evolve, thank you to Karyn, Mike and Merl for letting me take a sneak peek of Market Supply Co and here's to many years of happy vintage shopping to come!