Vintage clothing shops are popping up across Ottawa. Here's why

Ottawa Citizen

10-05-2025

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This trend is represented in the post-pandemic proliferation of brick-and-mortar vintage shops in Ottawa.
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Some observers say it's also an offshoot of the popularity of 613Flea, the twice-monthly independent market in the Aberdeen Pavilion at Lansdowne Park, which features an ever-changing array of wares, ranging from vintage clothing and decor to handmade jewelry, soap and original art, plus more than a dozen food vendors.
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Ingrid Daniels used to be a regular 613Flea vendor at Aberdeen until she found her own space on Gladstone Avenue last summer. She now runs a shop called Tribe Co. and its next-door event space, aptly titled Next Door. For her, operating a shop is actually easier than doing a market.
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'It's a lot of physical work at a market,' she said. 'You have to make some predictions to select what you want to bring, then you have to put it all in your car. Your racks, your bags, your table, accessories, a mirror. And then you have to unload it all, and reload again when everything's done. It's easily a nine-hour day.'
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The vision for her Gladstone establishment combines clothing and events, whether it's a mending session, fashion show, clothing swap, paint night or collaboration with other vendors.
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'The concept honestly is to have carefully curated clothing of quality, and to host events,' Daniels said. 'There's a photo studio, too, so I want it to be kind of a community hub where people can come and express themselves.'
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For her part, Mcleod came to the sector out of a concern for the environment and dismay at the rise of fast fashion brands. She also loves the styles and fabrics of past decades, from the 1950s to Y2K, and learning the history behind them.
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'There's a surplus of garments that are just being thrown in the landfill,' she said. 'It's so absurd that people are still shopping on Amazon when you can pretty much get whatever you need second-hand.'
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Mcleod has been warmly welcomed by her neighbours on York Street. Next door in the yellow building is FrouFrou by Pat, a boutique specializing in original women's fashion, with a newly added consignment section on the second floor. It's owned by Pat Pythian, a curly-haired dynamo who's a bit of a legend in the Market because she's worked in the area for more than 30 years, first as the manager of the old Sassy Bead shop.
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Pythian added the consignment business to her shop after the pandemic, largely because many long-time customers had changed their style.
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'COVID really did it because it changed everybody's personality. They all changed lifestyles and wanted to clear out their closets,' Pythian explained. 'Women were coming in saying, 'I just can't buy another dress or another pair of pants because I've got too many.' I said, 'Well, bring them here. I'll sell them and give you 50 per cent.''
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Today, the younger customers head straight up the rickety stairs to see what's come in on consignment. Part of the appeal is the affordable pricing, although social media has also fuelled Gen Z's desire to stand out.
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'They're getting more and more adventurous, and wearing the crazy stuff to show it on Instagram,' Mcleod said. 'They're having fun with their fashion and using it as a form of expression.'
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Also on York Street is Adorit, where owner Emma Inns has been specializing in ethical, slow fashion for 17 years, featuring Canadian designers and fair-trade products from India, Tibet and Nepal. There's also a thrift section at the back of the store, where she showcases vintage 90s pieces that are all the rage with students.