We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Holly Cox. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Holly below.

Hi Holly, thanks for joining us today. So, naming is such a challenge. How did you come up with the name of your brand?

It was actually super easy to name my business as October House Vintage because my grandmother, Marian Marso, owned her own shop called October House Antiques in Orchard Park. I haven’t pinned down the exact reason she named it that but I believe it was because she was born in October and she sold antiques that obviously fill a house. I remember roaming the isles of her shop when I was a little girl and I am proud to live her legacy now. There are customers who stop into my shop because they remember the name and her. A lot of people come in too saying they still have a lot of her pieces in their house still too which is so inspiring to me. I only hope to be a legend like her some day!

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I went to UB for my Human Resources degree and although I am not in that field really, I definitely apply what I have learned to my business world. I used to own Flux Fitness which was a personal training company. I did that for about 7 years and just last year decided to apply my business logic into a brick and mortar, October House Vintage. If I didn’t do Flux Fitness, starting October House would have taken a lot more effort and time to make sure I was doing everything right.

I have always loved fashion and thrifting since I was a kid and once I could drive, I was thrifting every weekend in high school. I was known to pack too much clothing for vacations, often switched my outfits throughout the day, etc. Now I don’t do that but I definitely still have that spirit.

At October House, we focus mainly on retro, 50’s, 60’s, vintage or preloved clothes with a sprinkling of decor and furniture. I would love to be a hub for unique finds that you won’t be able to get anywhere else or see on someone else so you can live out your individuality with every piece you get from us. Most pieces in here aren’t easy to find online even which makes it fun to know you will be the only owner of that piece! Going thrifting is so incredibly fun and thrilling for some folks but a lot of people don’t know how to find the diamonds in the rough and don’t want to spend the time finding those cool items. Coming to October House is a different experience because you know all the items are clean, good quality, unique, and purposefully picked so there is a certain style you know you’ll find. You could be directed to your desired item in a few minutes or you could spend an hour looking at everything! It really can be whatever experience you prefer.

Any fun sales or marketing stories?

There was an incredible Alaskan parka in here from Laura Wright who made this coat in Alaska under the business Alaskan Parky. The coat was $1200 because it was 30 years old and back then they were sold for $3000+. I had no hope in selling this coat because that really is a commitment buy in my mind. There was a wonderful woman who had come in to shop and she still comes often to shop. She has a very interesting back story being a model, had cancer, was just robbed a few days prior to coming in, and honestly just an overall badass of a woman. She ended up loving the coat as soon as she put it on and never took it off. She then added a few more items to her purchase and walked out a very happy customer. What she maybe didn’t fully understand though was how that made my whole entire month. As a business owner that relies on sales to pay rent, utility bills, and other expenses, this purchase covered a large chunk of that in a 30 minute moment. If you are in this industry you know exactly how that feeling hits you right to your core and I will always love that sale and use it to remind myself that companies ebb and flow and to stick with it is a struggle and accomplishment all in one.

What’s been the best source of new clients for you?

My location certainly helps get the word out about my business. I am on a high traffic corner so I get a lot of people who come in saying they turned around because my displays were eye catching and they wanted to see what I had. Social media is a HUGE part of my business. I try to post everyday whether it be favorite clothing items, new listed ecommerce items, sales going on, events to come, etc. A lot of customers say that’s what hooks them because they will see an item and want it so they will comment or DM me about it. It’s like shopping online but with a personal touch to it. People recognize me when I am out because of all the videos I post which is cool to have a face to the company rather than just a store. I want to give people an experience rather than just an item they bought. I think that is the personal trainer in me. I love having experiences and sharing a good experience with someone else. A store can be good or bad depending on the customer service provided so there are certain things I focus on and will certainly train my future employees to do as well so the store can always hold a great vibe every time you come in.

Contact Info:

• Website: octoberhousevintage.com
• Instagram: @octoberhousevintage
• Facebook: October House Vintage