Thanks to my friend and fellow blogger Alvita Lozano, vintage shopping at the Rust Belt Market has become one of my new weekend hobbies and guilty pleasures.  I went to the Rust Belt Market when it first opened over a year ago, and I have to admit, it was quite overwhelming, so I hadn’t been back, until recently.  What once had a little bit of everything going on has settled into a nice vintage shopping destination, with multiple vendors, all under one roof.  Here’s the 411 on a few of my favorites:

Kelli’s Vintage

Kelli, owner of Kelli’s Vintage, started selling vintage over 7 years ago online, but now sells exclusively at the Rust Belt Market.  “I started collecting and selling vintage because I love clothes and wanted a home business.  I also noticed a lot of the new styles were copying off the old styles,” said Kelli.  Kelli’s Vintage acquires it merchandise from multiple sources.

Dolly Rocker’s

Owner Cara Nova Lundgren has been working in vintage stores ever since she was 13 years old, so opening her own vintage store was a natural progression since she’s always been around it.  Although she closed her Dolly Rocker’s storefront on Woodward a few years ago, Cara continues to sell her vintage merchandise at the Rust Belt Market and through her Etsy store.    

Resurrected Vintage

Wardrobe stylist and Resurrected Vintage owner Lisa Patterson has been selling vintage for 19 years.  She started out with her mother at antique shows, selling vintage to other dealers.  For 10 years she had her own store front in the historic Old Town District in Saginaw, but has now settled into her space at the Rust Belt Market, in addition to selling through her Etsy store.  Lisa specializes in what she likes to refer to as “wearable vintage,” – pieces that her customers can wear today, without looking dated.  “When I select pieces, I have a type of person/customer in mind,” said Lisa.  “If I can’t visualize a specific customer or how he or she can wear it, I don’t buy it.  I usually know the right customer when they [sic] come to me.”  Lisa acquires her merchandise through estate sales, thrift stores and from other dealers.  Lisa uses a lot of her merchandise in film, television and print production then resells it once she’s done.          

The Rust Belt Market, located at 22801 Woodward in Ferndale, MI, is open on Saturdays and Sundays from 11am-7pm.    

~ Jessica R. Simmons

Photos by Detroit Style Review