Posted on Jul 25, 2024 at 11:50 am by

By Joshua Anderson for the Peekskill Business Improvement District

Nestled on the second floor at 925 South Street, Peekskill, is Stark Vintage. Owned by Mike Stark, 28, this business started in 2021 and has become a vibrant hub for those in search of some rare and collectable threads. The store focuses on shirts from the 1970s to the 2000s,  “Each garment comes with its own unique history, and no two garments are the same,” the store’s website says.

To get there you need to walk up a flight of stairs. Stark Vintage will be the first door on the left at the top. The shop is well lit with large windows that open up the space and a second floor inside the store is like a loft space where bands perform and art is displayed. The upstairs space has massive mirrors along one wall which is reflective of the shopping experience.

The shop offers CD’s for $5 a piece, $35 slacks and $200 sweaters among many other items. The average price according to Stark is $25 to $35, although there is always a clearance rack on the second floor of the shop which offers shirts for $10-$15. Stark began collecting early on in life, gathering clothes which caught his eye and often represented classic musical artists. In 2018, when he did his first pop-up shop, Stark was convinced he could make this business a reality. Working as a carpenter and figuring out the numbers and details, he made it happen and has been successful.

Stark shares insights into his entrepreneurial journey and the ways he sets his shop apart from others by offering innovative pricing strategies to community-driven events and innovative marketing to attarct new and exisiting customers. One way Stark aims to improve his business is through Instagram reels. One for instance, aims to experiment with introducing a character named ‘Uncle Ricky’ to add personality and engage his audience in a more casual and fun way. Stark enjoys the process, but most of all, enjoys taking different approaches to increase traffic for his business.

Whenever Stark hosts a ‘fill-a-bag’ event, the line stretches down the street with eager faces ready to take advantage of his sale. This event allows you to take a bag, which can fit a good amount of clothes, and fill it as much as possible for only $10. Stark plans to host another ‘fill-a-bag’ sale event soon.

Stark explained that he came up with his unique Pokemon tag system, which he chose for its nostalgic appeal and connection to the theme of his store. There are also small pokemon cards by the register, made by a girl named Riley who’s going into her senior year of High School. “She came in and was telling me that she does these miniature Pokemon cards, like by hand, and she likes to sell them on Etsy,” Stark said. He supports and encourages Riley by selling her merchandise in his store.

Stark looks to host local bands as well. One band had rented the space and it turned out well. “I put on a show and invited all their people and I promoted it through the shop. There’s a band called “Putty Cat,” they did a couple shows here and they had a solid turnout. It was like 50 people,” Stark said.

Among his sales, events and local bands, Stark looks to promote the shop through other avenues as well, which includes showcasing local artists’ work and participating in community events like the PRIDE celebrations in June.

Stark also discussed the supportive community in Peekskill and how organizations like the Peekskill Business Improvement District and Peekskill Arts Alliance have helped promote his business. Stark often joins in on the pop-up events for the city. He has also gone out to other areas, bringing about 70 pieces with him at a time with a good range in price. Stark looks to join in on more of these events and continue to show why Peekskill is a great place to have a business.

One thing Stark wants aspiring entrepreneurs to know is that, “If you really care about it, you should definitely do it, because you’ll always think about it if you don’t. And if you don’t love it, you shouldn’t try it,” he says.

Doing contracting work as a carpenter helped Stark realize he isn’t going to enjoy all of the aspects of business. “There’s days where you’re just having a bad day, but you gotta do it, no matter what,” Stark said. Having a business isn’t easy. It takes a lot of hard work, a positive attitude, and passion.

Stark Vintage is open Fridays through Sundays, starting at 11 a.m. and closing at 6 p.m. Reach the business through its Instagram, @stark_vintage_ or call (914) 907-6597.

While in Downtown Peekskill, be sure to visit our other shops: The Lounge House, Jeanstown, Bucko, Quirkshop, and 222MuchSwag.

If you are a downtown business, and would like to be considered for an upcoming profile article, please email us at peekskillbid1@gmail.com and tell us why!

Photos by Josh Anderson.  (C) 2024 Peekskill Business Improvement District.