Fashion boutique Vintage Goose uplifts local, independent artists

By Kimberly Kapela, Copy Editor

Vinyl records and boots are on display near the window at Vintage Goose on 1538 N. Halsted St. Abra Richardson

With a dash of leather, lace and satin, topped with bold vintage curations at the core of its roots, Vintage Goose opened its doors in August. The sister store to Pilsen Vintage offers exclusive selections of vintage fashion, housewares, jewelry and art from the 1920s to the 2000s and work from local independent artists.

Shoppers are greeted at the 1538 N. Halsted St. location with a bright atmosphere, alongside rare, embellished cowboy boots, vintage fashion magazines and racks of fur coats from sustainably sourced collections.

The staff at Pilsen Vintage said they saw an opportunity to expand the store’s location to a different neighborhood to narrow their designer curations and to include more local artists in their space.

Additionally, Vintage Goose’s mission is to support local musicians and provide its community with a space to host EP release parties and concerts.

“One of [Vintage Goose’s] big goals is to have a party, an event, at least once a month where we feature one musician and two featured artists,” said Lily Parker, the store manager. “We also have jewelry designers that make all their own jewelry and get the majority of the profits for all of their work. We’re here to sell vintage and support the community.”

A rack filled with vintage skirts and pants hangs below a string of purple fairy lights. Abra Richardson

Vintage Goose owner Ashley Guizar said vintage items are increasingly becoming more trendy and popularized in the fashion realm.

“We have vintage clothing, vintage furniture and vintage home goods and home decor,” Guizar said. “We also have a pretty great selection of vintage jewelry. We also have handmade vendors that make different types of jewelry.”

One of the Chicago businesses featured is JELLY by designer and founder Elly Jimenez. JELLY features exclusive accessories like mohair hats, scarves and gloves.

“JELLY is really striving to create pieces that you just can’t leave your house without,” Jimenez said. “We want to create things that are well designed and well made, so that not only do you want to have them with you all the time, but when you’re done with them, you want to pass them on to people that you love.”

Jimenez found Vintage Goose through Pilsen Vintage and has seen it come to life throughout its opening process, crediting Guizar and Parker for its success.

“I know it means a lot to them [Guizar and Parker], so I’m just really proud of them,” Jimenez said. “The store is beautiful and I love what they’ve pulled.”

Vintage cameras, Geppetto’s shoes and vinyl records on display are some of the novelties that decorate the shop. Abra Richardson

Artist and designer Lia Krilis creates knitwear and jewelry that are inspired by mysticism aesthetics. Krilis created a line of one-of-a-kind metal jewelry inspired by stained glass windows that is featured in the store.

“I just really liked how mystical [stained glass windows] were, and just the beautiful effects that glass gives, the translucency and the colors,” Krilis said. “It’s been a really fun collaboration, especially at this new location; it’s so beautiful and it’s so beautifully curated.”

Krilis said businesses supporting artists are something rare.

“To wear pieces locally, I just think is so cool and is so unique, especially in Chicago,” Krilis said. “It’s just so unique, and it’s really what art is about to me, is being able to have such an amazing, eclectic collection of pieces from amazing people.”

For both Guizar and Parker, Vintage Goose and Pilsen Vintage stand out compared to other vintage stores because of the sense of community the environment and customers provide.

“We’ve always tried to stand out from other vintage stores,” Guizar said. “We regularly host artists, and we host other small businesses to come and sell their items at our space.”

Vintage Goose is open Thursday through Saturday from noon to 8 p.m. and Sundays from noon to 7 p.m. To learn about upcoming events, new designers and vintage drops, visit the shop on Instagram and their website.