NEW DIGS FOR VINTAGE: Menomonie Shop Has New Name, Location, and Focus
TC Vintage moves away from antiques and into a new shop on Broadway
Sawyer Hoff, photos by Andrea Paulseth
Town & Country Antiques has served the Menomonie area for the last 20 years and even opened a second location five years ago, also in Menomonie. The second location, fittingly named Town & Country Antiques II, now has a new name and location.
Now called TC Vintage and located at 630 S. Broadway St., Menomonie, the new store has a heavier focus on vintage clothing, vinyl, speakers, jewelry, CDs, and more, moving away from the store’s previous emphasis on antiques.
The original Town & Country is owned by Sylvia Gegenbach, while TC Vintage is owned by her son, Grant. Even though the new location is about a third of the size of their previous digs, Grant says that this helps them focus on quality products rather than quantity.
Having just opened their doors on June 6, Grant says he has a lot in store for the new spot, including bringing back live music – something he used to host in the old space, a customer favorite – as well as a new fitting room, which he didn’t have in the last location.
“What I'm excited about is having a brand new store when the students come back,” Sylvia said. “I truly am (excited) because I think they're going to find this exactly what they're looking for.”
The original store, Town & Country Antiques, is still open at 244 Main St. E, Menomonie, and is still owned by Sylvia. Anyone looking to purchase or peruse antiques will certainly find what they’re looking for at Town & Country. The store is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, which also happens to coincide with TC Vintage’s fifth anniversary. The mother-son duo plan to have a joint grand re-opening and anniversary party in September.
“What I'm excited about is having a brand new store when the students come back,” Sylvia said. “I truly am (excited) because I think they're going to find this exactly what they're looking for.”
Both Grant and Sylvia attribute much of their shops’ success to all of the vendors they have had over the years. Some have been working with the shops for years while some are newer, and the duo is always looking for trustworthy vendors in the area.
“I've had a lot of people ask (to be vendors) over the last several years, but I don't just take anybody either. I can’t,” Grant said. “I mean, everybody has their idea of what vintage is to them. You're going for a certain vibe. You have to find people who fit with that vibe.”
Check out TC Vintage at 630 S. Broadway St., Menomonie, and also be sure to check out Town & Country Vintage at 244 Main St. E., Menomonie, and on Facebook.
