Lovers of vintage and antique got some great news in August 2023, when the Red Owl Collective opened its doors with 10,000 square feet of space.
Vintage and antique shopping is the best retail therapy there is. Vintage shops—especially multi-dealer places with lots of independent vendors—stock an unclassifiable mix of curious and beautiful things that evoke nostalgia, curiosity, amusement, and sometimes awe. And lovers of vintage and antique got some great news in August 2023, when the Red Owl Collective opened its doors with 10,000 square feet of space.
Red Owl’s owner Cindy Hoose spent her childhood in the tiny mountaintop hamlet of Haines Falls, came to New Paltz to attend SUNY, and settled into Ulster County life. “I don’t think I ever had a detailed plan of what I wanted to do with my life,” she says. “I knew I wanted to be happy and creative and surround myself with beauty. And I grew up going to yard sales and rummage sales with my mom. I love unique objects and clothing and enjoy the thrill of the hunt. I have always shopped vintage, and I love buying and selling vintage.” When her husband purchased the Wonderly building on Cornell Street in Midtown Kingston to expand his warehouse space, Hoose found herself inspired. “Once we were inside what is now the Red Owl, we knew it was meant to be something more than office space,” she says.
“I’m a creative soul, I love to dream, but I also work to plan and execute things thoughtfully. So I widened my lens, I researched and visited as many vintage and antique malls as I could before opening the Red Owl, and I asked for help when I needed it.”
That blend of bold inspiration and thoughtful execution has her customers raving. “I love that there is a wide range of eras, prices, and styles in this vintage mall,” writes a happy guest and Google reviewer. “Every time I go to Red Owl, I meander the aisles, taking in the treasures as if in a museum. The staff are all very friendly and helpful. The history of this building is fascinating, once a roll er-skating rink, a drapery factory, and a bowling alley. I have been shopping from the owner, Cindy, for decades, from the time she owned Rosendale Wares in the 90s, to her booths at local vintage markets. She is a splendid shopkeeper, designer, community collaborator, and host.” Other reviewers echo that joy at the diversity of offerings, and praise the prices, quality, layout, ample free parking, and warm welcome.
At this writing, over 60 vendors display their wares in the Red Owl Collective. “My goal is for Red Owl to become a destination shopping experience offering beautiful objects in an ever-changing environment,” says Hoose, “to provide my vendors with a solid, beautiful environment to set up their wares, and to provide our customers with an ever-changing supply of unique finds. And we’ve been getting amazing feedback: ‘Best vintage mall I have ever been to,’ ‘The curation is great,’ ‘Open and inviting.’ I think the application process has allowed the Red Owl to grow into a beautiful, fun, eclectic mix of vendors who love what they do.”
“I have always shopped vintage, and I love buying and selling vintage.” – Owner Cindy Hoose
“My goal is for Red Owl to become a destination shopping experience offering beautiful objects in an ever-changing environment.” – Owner Cindy Hoose
Those vendors know that Hoose, with her three decades of varied experience in vintage dealings, has them covered—the Collective’s website and social media are frequently updated to showcase their wares, and there’s a point-of-sale software system that was purpose-built for antique malls and simplifies tracking transactions and dealing with sales tax. In return, they commit to staying on top of their curation and keeping their booths fresh. “My research and my years in the business showed me that most antique malls are full, with waiting lists,” says Hoose. “And part of the vision and expectation of Red Owl vendors is that the inventory is fresh and new. Booths are restocked or rearranged often to keep repeat customers interested and eager to come back.”
And come back, they do, all sorts of them. “We get everyone,” says Hoose. “Locals, weekenders, young, old. Designers, artists, thrifters, junkers, anyone who enjoys shopping for vintage, antiques, home decor; anyone addicted to the thrill of the hunt. We have a great mix of new and returning customers. Being a vintage mall with one-of-a-kind wares, there is an immediacy: You don’t want to miss out on the find! If you don’t buy it today, it might well be gone tomorrow.”
Opening in August with 20 vendors, Hoose found herself with a waiting list by October, and she’s thrilled with the way it’s all unfolding. “With just a few months under my belt, I still feel like a brand-new baby entrepreneur,” she says. “I still say, to myself and others, that I’m learning something new every day. I am stretching and growing along with the business. I have great support from my Red Owl team, and I feel very lucky.”
As the weather warms, keep an eye out for news of Red Owl’s planned parking lot flea markets. And do stop in as soon as you can—you literally have no idea what special treat might be waiting just for you, and the nature of the business means, as Hoose observes, that it won’t be there forever. But one thing won’t change: the joyful, loving spirit of this new woman-owned collective, conveniently located in the buzzing Midtown Arts District.
“Every day is a new day,” says Hoose. “I love every aspect of my work. I enjoy watching the Red Owl grow, taking care of this new business, the building, the vendors, and the customers. I love buying and selling vintage, and I’m proud to offer this opportunity to other vendors. I deeply love helping people find their treasure.”
red owl colLECTIVE
25 Cornell Street, Kingston
845-481-4675
redowlcollective.com
