Small Business Spotlight: Vintage En Vogue
To call Vintage En Vogue just a store would be a mistake. It’s much more than that thanks to owners Susan and David Shull who have given spirit, heart and soul to this unique shop. It’s the perfect place to find special things for the home, unique clothing choices for women and children, and artwork brought to life by the man who paints right there in the store.
It’s actually with David and his paintings that our story begins, according to his wife Susan. You see, David picked up his brushes and started painting after experiencing a series of traumatic health issues. David had two strokes and a bout with cancer before he began revisiting this old hobby. Only, he had to relearn painting using his non-dominant hand.
Susan heard about a retail space that was available on Logan’s Main Street and suggested it would be a good opportunity for a shop where Susan could sell things that she loves and where David could paint and talk to people. “We weren’t sure if it was a good idea or if he could do it but it tugged at my heart and I prayed about it. We decided to try for a year,” Susan explained.
That was in April 2022 and they’re still going strong.
Today, the busy shop caters to those who are looking for a little something different. New clothing with a vintage flair for women and children occupy about half of the store along with accessories like scarves, jewelry and bags. There’s also a large space dedicated to things for the home that are either vintage or new with vintage style. Wall décor, furniture, candles, gift items, and glassware fill the nooks and crannies. It’s a special mix of old and new where there’s something for nearly everyone. “I like things that feel old. Whether they are vintage or new and just made to look that way. It’s nice to hear customers remark that their grandmother used to have that bowl or that they played with a certain toy when they were little. It’s just fun.”
But the star of the store may actually be David who sits near the door, painting beautiful scenes from across the Hocking Hills region. His canvases dominate the wall near the entrance where he greets customers as he paints. “He calls himself the monkey in the window,” Susan giggled. “He waves to people and they wave back. Sometimes they come in to talk. We get a lot of visitors but we also have locals. Some of them will walk by with their dogs and they’ll come in because their dogs want to see David.”
“We started doing this for a lot of reasons. We love Logan. It’s a quaint town and just feels so friendly. So, it made sense to invest in downtown Logan and to help the town grow. But we did it also because we thought it would be good for Dave to have a place to be and to contribute. It’s interesting though because it has grown to be so much more than that.”
Susan went on to explain how she feels David brightens the day for strangers walking by when he acknowledges them. One example she cited was a woman who walked by regularly and who always waved but never came in the store. When he was sidelined by an injury and unable to come into the store for a few months, that woman stopped by to inquire about him and make sure he was ok. Susan said the woman didn’t really know David but she was worried for him nonetheless.
“He loves it. It gives him purpose. People love his story and his attitude but he worries people feel sorry for him. Life doesn’t always go the way we want it to but that doesn’t mean we can’t make an impact. We do this because it’s good for him but it has been good for others too.”
Vintage En Vogue has a great vibe and variety but Susan is quick to point out there are other cute shops nearby as well as places to eat and things to do. She says that the community is stronger and businesses prosper when neighbors help each other.
A benefit of living in a tourist community is that locals have access to all kinds of things to do and places to shop as well. “Logan is such a great place. We love it here and are happy to be part of all this development in downtown. It means a lot to us when someone shops with us and then remembers to come back. To think we touched them enough that they live here and come back regularly or a return visitor when they vacation here. Whether they’re coming here for the store or for us as people, it doesn’t matter. It really touches us when someone comes back.”
Vintage En Vogue is located at 45 West Main Street, Logan. Follow them on Facebook to keep up with their news and to find hours as well as other updates.