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Vintage, locally sourced pop-up opening in Sunnyside

Violet’s Volition and Bliss at 45-06 46th St.

Sept. 22, 2017 By Nathaly Pesantez

A vintage clothing pop-up shop with a focus on sustainability and locally sourced products has made its way to Sunnyside, a neighborhood that it hopes to call home permanently.

Violet’s Volition and Bliss, the name of the boutique on 45-06 46th St., will offer a curated selection of women’s and men’s clothing from the 1920s through the 1990s, vintage housewares, accessories, and more. The other half of the shop will sell products from vendors working out of Brooklyn, Sunnyside, and Harlem, who make upcycled jewelry, homemade candles, and dresses.

“The main focus of the store is sustainability and being environmentally friendly,” said Rebecca Vicars, the 43-year-old owner of the store who also goes by the name “Violet”. “Vintage on its own is environmentally friendly.”

Vicars has lived in Sunnyside for the last 10 years, and said she had been thinking about opening a vintage pop-up in the neighborhood for several years.

“I just got the keys last Friday,” Vicars said. “I’ve been thinking about all of this and collecting vendors mentally, and as soon as I knew I had the space, I reached out.”

Vicars, who also works as an art consultant, has opened several pop-up vintage boutiques in the past, including several in Williamsburg. The clothing and trinkets sold at her shops are hand-picked, a process that takes Vicars through estate sales, markets, and off-the-beaten path locations across the country. The locally-sourced vendors are also selected to display variety.

“I want everyone to feel like there’s something they can find for themselves here,” Vicars said.

The 580-square-foot Sunnyside location, the former site of Happy Photo, the custom framing and passport-photo provider, will be a pop-up for the first two months of business. After that, Vicars hopes that the way will be paved for the location to become a full-time shop.

Violet’s Volition and Bliss will open its doors on Sept. 23 from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Hours of operation:
T-F: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Saturday: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Sunday: 12 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Violet’s Volition and Bliss banner

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26 Comments

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Dandy

Went there today – the shop has a very good vintage clothes selection – mostly ladies – also some locally made products like candles etc – doesn’t have much in the way of furniture etc… nice place to browse on a Sunday – can thoroughly recommend a visit .. Violet you’re very welcome in Sunnyside !

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Sherry

I went on Monday. Bought some beautiful warm sweaters, a couple of very unique tops and a scarf from the forties. Prices are fantastic. And Violet is so sweet!! I hope the store lasts a long time.

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SurfeRoss

I wish Happy Photo had been more involved with the community and more open about what it offered.

I look forward to seeing how Violet interacts with the neighborhood and makes a place for itself. It’ll be great to have an option for last minute gifts because lord knows I’m forgetful.

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Sherry

Fantastic! Sunnyside needs stores like this so we don’t have to go into the city to buy gifts, clothes, etc.
Good luck to you, Violet
P.S. Don’t bother reading the silly negative comments.

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Anonymous

I love the idea of a pop-up like this in our neighborhood. Violet has a great eye, the shop has some really good finds. Good luck! I hope it becomes a full time shop. I am relieved this prime retail space didn’t become a glasses shop, nail salon, or mega-chain.

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lets face it, most people commenting here are jerks

thanks to the young woman who is doing what she loves to do and giving this neighborhood something a little different and creative for a change. Good luck!!

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