By Patricia Guthrie
Special to The Record
There’s a new store in Freeland full of cool old stuff to add to your secondhand shop list.
Called Whidbey Vintage Collective, the store features fun and stylish finds from yesteryear — 1950s fashions, antique desks, kitchen cupboards, green and blue glassware, ceramic plates, water pitchers and framed pictures.
“We are a collective of four women who have held onto our family treasures and were the keepers of those treasures for years,” said co-owner Heidi Norris. “We decided it’s time to look at them one more time and let somebody else fall in love and appreciate these sleeping beauties.”
Norris owns the business with Leslie Jackson, Vanessa Casarrubias and Leslie Saelens. Norris previously owned a consignment store and an antique store.
Whidbey Vintage Collective opened last month after a facelift inside and out.
Located on the westside of Highway 525 near a shopping plaza and the Chevron gas station, the shop is set back from the highway and has plenty of parking spaces.
Businesses in the building over the years include Hedgehog and Island Sash & Door.
A bright red door opens to three rooms that are artfully arranged to show off the eclectic collection of clothes, clocks, chairs, cookie tins, shoes, hats, dishes, desks, jars and jewelry.
“We love beautiful things and some of the things in our shop aren’t necessarily antique but they’re just very high-quality or so unique we want to share them and sell them,” Norris said.
The owners have accumulated some items from estate sales and from a never-ending need “to buy beautiful, old wonderful things” no longer made or manufactured.
Strolling through the store is like spending time in grandma’s kitchen and living room — providing, of course, you are of a certain vintage yourself.
“It’s so fun,” said customer Lori Sanford while shopping with friend Karen Henry. “It’s just treasure after treasure.”
Handcrafted items made by the owners are also for sale.
A wooden cabinet with slim pull-out drawers is filled with painted and beaded smooth rocks made by Jackson. Her unique earrings and other jewelry sit atop the cabinet. Hanging from the Christmas tree in the corner are her handmade ornaments — snowflakes of lace and bright beaded birds for under $10.
Her crocheted hats and scarves might also be the perfect gift for someone.
“I’ve been crocheting hats, scarves, blankets and painting and beading for decades,” Jackson said. “It’s so nice to finally have a place to show and sell them.”
While checking out a leather coat with boyfriend Alex Stiers, Alex Foode appreciated the wide variety of merchandise.
“It is so darling in here,” she said. “I’m very impressed by the variety. I feel like there’s something for everyone.”
Norris and Jackson both emphasized how the store’s inventory will constantly change. As items go out the front door, they’ll always be some gem in storage to bring in the back door.
“So if you don’t find something that catches your eye, be sure to come back in because there will be something different every time,” Norris said before adding another shopping tip: “Remember, if you dream about it, you probably need to go back and get it, before someone else does!”
Whidbey Vintage Collective is located at 18181 Highway 525, Freeland and is open from 10 a.m to 4 p.m. Thursday through Sunday.
To learn more, visit the store’s Instagram, @whidbeyvintage.
Heidi Norris adjusts sunglasses on Loretta, the mannequin mascot at the new Freeland shop, Whidbey Vintage Collective. (Photo by Patricia Guthrie)
Rocks painted by Leslie Jackson are part of the local crafts for sale at Whidbey Vintage Collective, a new shop in Freeland. (Photo by Patricia Guthrie)
This desk made by Lars Gustav who emigrated from Sweden is estimated to be about 120 years old. It’s among several antiques for sale at Whidbey Vintage Collective, a new shop full of old treasures located off Highway 525 in Freeland. (Photo by Patricia Guthrie)
