Christina Mastroeni 
Those native or at least familiar with the Montclair area know it isn’t short of opportunities for thrifting. Montclair has many spaces where reduce, reuse, recycle comes to life in antique outlets, bookstores, + thrift shops. Especially with vintage styles Y2K + older, many are looking for classic, vintage finds. Connie’s Vintage Trunk is located at 220 Bloomfield Avenue and should be considered the next stop in a thrifter’s haul. Keep reading for more information about Connie’s Vintage Trunk in Montclair, New Jersey.
About the Owner
Dan Schulz is the Owner of Connie’s Vintage Trunk. His background and love of all things vintage is what brings the store to life. Originally a “small-town boy from Ohio,” Dan did work in theater for costume and show production. He then moved to NYC performing similar work in the theater district. After “having two dogs, and needing a backyard,” he settled in Montclair.
Montclair became a no-brainer spot for Dan’s costume shop and vintage shop dual storefront. He mentioned how it’s easily accessible for people from the NJ and NYC area to get to the shop to rent costumes or make purchases. Dan mentioned a few shows that have made purchases from his store. Productions like The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, Hawaii Five-0, + The Tonight Show have found treasures at Connie’s Vintage Trunk in store or online via its Etsy shop.
Read More: A Look at Montclair’s New Lackawanna Plaza + the Small Businesses Within
From decades of experience with costumes on stage, Dan slowly curated an enormous vintage collection, in addition to people stopping by to bring their vintage pieces to his shop. It’s a different experience to know that a vintage store owner is selling his carefully crafted collection, but it’s truly next level to think that your local shop owner may also have your measurements and textile considerations in mind, as not many people know that Dan was once a costume designer as well.
A typical day for Dan is coming in at morning and getting the shop ready g to open at 12 noon. Connie’s Vintage Trunk is open from 12PM to 5PM from Thursday through Sunday. Dan likes to “make people feel beautiful.” Dan speaks highly of his guests and says his vintage customers are lovely; he genuinely enjoys helping them find their newest piece. Outside of this daily routine, Dan says special moments happen every so often when a bride-to-be is looking for a vintage wedding dress. He says it is an absolute thrill to help them find something like a 1950s ball gown for their big day.
About the Space
For those wondering how Connie’s Vintage Trunk got its name, Connie Trunk is Dan’s mother’s name. She has passed, but her memory lives on in the name and logo of this vintage shop. On Cue Costumes + Connie’s Vintage Trunk are side-by-side storefronts on Bloomfield Avenue in Montclair, across the street from Lackawanna Plaza.
Inside Connie’s Vintage Trunk, thrifters will find pieces from just about every decade. Dan mentioned he has some pieces that date back to the late 1800s + pieces that travel through time to the late 90s/Y2K era.
The space has many pieces organized on wall-to-wall racks throughout the store. There are also special pieces hanging from the ceiling like furs. Mirrors are available throughout the store so guests can get a glimpse of what they’re trying on at every angle.
Despite Covid-19 taking its toll on brick-and-mortars, Dan has been able to keep this storefront alive for nearly eight years. He hopes more positive storefront experiences happen for businesses, particularly across the street in Lackawanna Plaza.
Items Available
Connie’s Vintage Trunk often has items available throughout the decades. Some items that found within the shop are jackets from the 30s, feathered + crystal hats, sets from the 90s, dresses ranging from short, prom dresses, + wedding gowns from the 50s + beyond. Some designer items in the store include Lilly Pulitzer, Donald Brooks, + Evelyn Schnurer to name a few. Items are also featured on Connie’s Etsy page and are available for purchase.
See More: A Guide to Vintage + Thrift Stores in Hudson County
While some were born to thrift, others may be shy toward the idea, perhaps never finding a look that fits just right. Dan will once again come to his shoppers’ rescue with his steady hand and sewing machine. If something shoppers want to buy needs a little altering, Dan, a man of his word, is here to make each and every shopper feel beautiful and confident about their purchases.
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