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

Candice, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today To kick things off, we’d love to hear about things you or your brand do that diverge from the industry standard.

The typical standard in vintage currently is Mid Century, although I have a love for all things vintage. I decided to stick with the period I grew up in which is 1970s through 1990s. I find that just as many people enjoy Post Modern and Retro Style as we are seeing a resurgence with this style in television and film. It’s like finally Generation X has a winning moment, lol

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.

Not sure where to start… I am from small town Tuskegee, Alabama and a Vintage Collector, I have been seriously collecting since around the age of twelve (12). My mom Dr. Nan Poole Spicer was a novice collector/reseller and would drag my sister and I on the weekends to estate sales in the area. Although not always welcome just based upon skin color we would file in, and she would bid on antiques and collectibles. I got my first piece which was a rocking chair, which I did not know at the time was considered a “mammie chair” I still have it to this day.

What sets my brand apart from most vintage stores is that I believe that vintage is not a status card. I have been to so many vintage shops and the prices are insanely steep. Vintage to me equates nostalgia. It should be afforded to all, plus I don’t want my store to become a museum.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

Great question…I am a self-funded business and when I say this it means I have no loans or liens against my business, equipment or products. I found it hard to find a bank or entity that was willing to loan money to a person who didn’t have the best credit portfolio. I knew that what I was doing could be profitable but making others see it was quite the challenge. I initially contacted a commercial property owner in a nearby town and their response to my request for renting a unit was I had to make them feel confident that my business would make money, never asking me if I could just pay the rent. Two weeks after I signed a lease for the space, I am currently in today he calls and begs me to reconsider, because he was watching CNN and they stated vintage was a multi-billion-dollar business. This reminded me to stick to my gut and pour all I could into my brand. I always tell people there is a market for absolutely everything.

I can’t lie and say it’s been easy, but the benefits surely outweigh the negatives. A few months back I had a random customer come in and start just bringing loads of items to the counter and I questioned them asking what exactly they were going to do with all this stuff and he replied, “oh I am a prop collector for Lions Gate Films, and we are collecting items for Season 3 for Black Mafia Family (BMF) this store is perfect for almost every character on our show.” I thought I was having the Big One, ode to my favorite show Sandford and Son. I laughingly but with some seriousness told him I was days away from starting an Only Fans account for people with ugly foot fetishes (seeing I could not afford to get my feet done anymore), his patronage saved me from packing my ball up and going home. Since then, several Set Decorators from shows like Stranger Things, Wonder Years and numerous others have visited the store and have dubbed it the “90s Vintage Head Quarters.”

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

When I decided, I was going to open a brick-and-mortar store, I decided to quit my day job with no thought that in my first year I may not see any profit oh and I quickly learned that was not a good idea. I needed continuous capital as well as my business was not to pay my day to day living expenses. Owning a brick and mortar was a little bit harder than I expected. This place needs things almost every day and not to exclude maintenance and not to mention the unexpected expenses. Needless to say, I was unemployed and unable to get unemployment benefits and seeking food assistance. I had to find another job and it took longer than expected. I have had to learn how to train myself to be a business owner 1st and an employee 2nd yet simultaneously.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.myvintagehomestore.com
• Instagram: myvintagehomestore
• Facebook: My Vintage Home Store
• Yelp: My Vintage Home
• Other: I host a YouTube Channel called Tha Vintage Diva

Image Credits
@Sarahnadefilms for my personal images