The 401 SHOP
BY TESS LYONS
PHOTOGRAPHY : SYDNEY REZENDES / COURTESY OF FOLK VINTAGE .
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Folk Vintage owner Sydney Gordon .
Treasure Hunt
Newport ’ s Folk Vintage takes shoppers in a time machine back to 1970s fashion .
NSIDE NEWPORT ’ S MOST FOOT-TRAFFICKED AREA is a curated secondhand store called Folk Vintage . Inside , shoppers are transported to a different era , one where bell-bottoms are all the rage and cowboy boots are everyday footwear . Disco balls shimmer from the ceiling and retro wallpaper covers the walls , with a cozy couch and an old-school television completing the vibe .
The shop is a flower child ’ s dream , something owner Sydney Gordon was intentional about during the design process .
“ I have an old soul and I just love Western ’ 70s . I took a lot of inspiration from films like Almost Famous ,” Gordon says . “ The bright funky colors and less conservative clothing really resonated with my free-spirited nature .”
Gordon began thrifting during her penny-pinching college years . The more she thrifted , the more she learned about the positive environmental impact that comes from shopping secondhand . She began selling vintage clothing online as a side hustle but quickly ran out of space .
One day , she stumbled upon a small retail space for rent on Spring Street . After a few meetings with the landlord , the storefront became hers in 2022 . Originally from Dartmouth , Massachusetts , Gordon had only lived in Newport for six months at the time . “ The space was a little box that we put together in a week or two ,” she says . “ One thing about
me is I can make an abrupt decision and then it ’ s like tunnel vision : All engines go .”
She moved Folk Vintage to Thames Street in 2023 . The shop now hosts sustainable fashion events like clothing swaps , fill-a-bag sales and Fridays at Folk , where people can shop , listen to music , browse clothing racks and unwind . Having Folk be a safe space for everyone is a priority for Gordon , who understands the impact that clothing can have on emotions .
“ I want people to feel confident , especially when they come in and put their trust in me . I want them to walk out and feel their best ,” she says .
In the future , the twenty-nine-year-old hopes to open more locations under the Folk name , all with different themed eras . Folk is also looking into sustainable merch options . She ’ ll keep spreading the word about Folk and encouraging other women to start their own businesses . “ I want to show that as a woman you can do anything that you set your mind to .” folkvintage . co 🆁
28 RHODE ISLAND MONTHLY I FEBRUARY 2025