A conversation with Angie, of The Vintage Venture
I can’t be the only one who feels a little bit… exhausted by our modern day world. The overwhelming amount of content that pollutes the Internet (and our brains), the never-ending production of fast fashion, and the constant pressure to keep up with the latest trends and hustle culture, it feels like there’s just no room anymore for … authenticity, quality, rarity.
I know, I really haven’t been around for long enough to say that yet! Regardless, I do find myself craving an escape every now and then, a desire to return to a time when things were simpler yet richer, when quality was prioritized over quantity.
Thankfully, my wish was granted when I sat down with Angie Masterson, thirty-six year old owner of The Vintage Venture, a vintage and artisan shop in Niagara Falls that is home to exclusive, one-of-a-kind items carefully curated by over 40 unique and talented vendors.
One of the many knick-knack shelves at The VV.
Angie owes her appreciation for all things vintage and antique to her beloved Nana, Rosemarie, who passed earlier this year.
“My grandparents raised me; my Nana was always taking me to garage sales and antique shops on the weekend - she had the most beautiful, perfectly curated home. She taught me about the value and quality of vintage and antique items, which is almost unheard of in today’s society where we’re filled with such an excess of cheaply made items.”
Besides the obvious distinct and eccentric nature of the items that you’ll come across whilst shopping from a vintage store, sustainability is a feature that is top of mind for Angie, as well.
“There are so many items on this Earth, even if we stopped manufacturing things from here on out we would still have enough to sustain generations to come! Vintage shopping is a beautiful way to preserve not only the history and memories that exist within an item, but also to protect our earth from being littered with more cheaply created, disposable items.”
A thrifter’s dream!
Spending an entire day at The Vintage Venture wouldn’t give you enough time to take in the store's artistic blast from the past, brimming with whimsical charm. Every corner reveals something new - from mid-century home décor, to one-of-a-kind jewelry, to genuinely cool clothing pieces you wouldn’t find in your average thrift store. It’s unbelievable that Angie transformed what was once a bank into this vibrant treasure trove.
“We really try to keep the store fresh, clean and vibrant - totally opposite to the stereotype of the dusty antique shop that you have to dig through to find anything good. We want to give respect to the valuable, historical items that we are grateful to have here.”
Angie is still adjusting to the busy lifestyle of a small business owner - a passion-driven role that she took on in 2022 after an unfulfilling thirteen year career with The Beer Store.
Angie, with her husband Christian, and their two children, after a busy day at the store.
“I’m so grateful for my husband Christian and my two kids, who teach me to always lead with passion; this store truly is family run, and I wouldn’t be able to do this without them.”
After falling in love with so many items within the store myself - every time I walk through - I was desperate to know what takes the spot of Angie’s most beloved item she’s sold.
“Probably this gorgeous mid-century teal light fixture from the 1950s that was brought to us by a lovely gentleman in Port Dalhousie. The piece was later bought by a designer, and now hangs in a local cafe in St. Catharines. It’s so special being able to pass on the history of an item and see the way that it’s creatively recycled.”
While The Vintage Venture is thriving as a retail space, what truly sets it apart is the vibrant sense of community it fosters. Beyond the 40 diverse vendors shelved within the store, The VV also comes alive with ‘Pick 22 Presents,’ a series that brings live, off-the-floor musical performances right into the heart of the store.
“My husband, who is a musician himself outside of his 9-5, had the great idea to film artists performing live in the store and then share them online. We’ve had incredible bands from all across Ontario, Quebec, even Mexico; it’s sort of our take on the Tiny Desk series from NPR. Community is really at the heart of what we do here, and I love being able to collaborate with so many talented, local artisans - it’s so special."
A band performing live in The Vintage Venture Store.
What’s on the horizon next for The Vintage Venture?
“Our Niagara Local Market - held in conjunction with You Empower Tomorrow Niagara - was so well attended in the spring, that we have decided to host it again this fall! On September 14th from 11-4, come enjoy some delicious food and live music while exploring 30 local unique vendors here at The Vintage Venture in Niagara Falls. Thrifters, creatives and vintage fanatics - you won’t want to miss this unique opportunity to grab some one-of-a-kind pieces to complete your collection!"
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If you are a local artisan or musician interested in housing your magic items or talents, be sure to get in touch with Angie over at thevintageventure@hotmail.com or by filling out this form on her website.
If you are a local Niagara business, maker or community builder, be sure to send me a message through Instagram @julia_ventresca - I would love the chance to highlight your work and feature your unique story in our next post!
P.S. I am excited to announce that I will be hosting a live workshop at Mind Body Spirit Fest, held at Ironwood Cider House in Niagara-on-the-Lake! 🧘🏻♀️✍️🎨🧠
Together we will explore three core pillars that I believe are essential to restoring ones sense of vitality: Creative Expression, Spiritual Exploration, and Recovery-Based Principles. This will be a guided, interactive session designed to inspire reflection, connection, and growth.
Details:
🗓️September 7
⏰11 AM
📍Ironwood Cider House, Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON
💰FREE!
I can’t wait to see you there! 😌🌞
Register here!
Now, here’s to hoping this sunshine lasts until I see you next in October…
All of the love,