Life moves pretty fast when you’re living in a time dominated by ever-changing trends, the constant need for instant gratification, and always wanting the newest of the new. Amidst this, I often find myself yearning for the comfort of nostalgia, the feeling of reconnecting with the past and the stories left behind. These desires drive me to the local vintage shops where the racks are filled with sentiments of past lives and where I feel good about contributing to the secondhand fashion industry.
Second-hand shopping is not a new concept. Still, the term vintage gained interest sometime in the 1940s when people were intrigued with collecting and styling historic pieces, such as corsets, into their wardrobes. Fast forward to today: thrift, second-hand, vintage, and consignment shopping have become popular as individuals strive to shop in a way that is ethical, sustainable and caters to individuality and unique style.
It also offers shoppers a connection to the past: items from past lives, styles seen in old movies and old photographs. There is a feeling evoked through this kind of connection.
This appreciation for the past isn’t just a trend; it’s a movement supported by passionate individuals who have made it their mission to preserve and share the stories behind the clothing. Curio Vintage in Owen Sound and Bishop Consignment in Collingwood are just two of the local gems within the secondhand fashion scene of Grey Bruce Simcoe.
When I walk into Curio on a warm autumn morning, the shop is bathed in a golden glow as the rich textures and patterns catch my eye. It feels as though I am walking into a grand walk-closet in the 70’s. Located in Owen Sound’s River District, Owner Carri Hore opened up shop in April 2024.
“I’ve always personally wished Owen Sound had a vintage store, so filling that gap is dreamy,” says Carri when I ask what brought her to open a storefront. After the success of a spontaneous pop-up she did last summer and the encouragement of friends over the years, she felt the time was right to bring a vintage shop to Owen Sound.
Carri doesn’t recall the exact moment she decided to call her store Curio but did explain that the name comes from the term ‘Curio Cabinets,’ which surfaced in the European Renaissance and were known as private areas in homes that were inhabited with rare treasures, fine paintings, and unusual objects. Curio is like the Curio Cabinet of Owen Sound; the moment you enter, you’re surrounded by rare, fine, and even some unusual pieces.
While the shop is filled with unique and remarkable pieces, it is also filled with familiarity and trendy items. I don’t feel intimidated when walking in; I feel invited.
“I wanted to feel like it was my home, or someone’s home,” Carri remarks when I ask about the vibe of her store and what she likes to fill it with. “It’s just a feeling, it’s something that I can envision because everything isn’t my personal style, but I can see that someone’s going to do something cool with it. I really respect other people’s styles.”
Part of the enjoyment is watching what people gravitate towards. What connections they find amongst her pieces. “It’s nice seeing all the people that come in and look at certain pieces and I’ll hear them chuckle or something when it jogs a memory for them, and then they share an anecdote about a person or a special time,” she says. “I’m grateful to be part of that.”
Another must-visit vintage shop in the area is nestled in the downtown core of Collingwood When I walk into Bishop Consignment, I am met with a crisp stylish atmosphere; it is bright, cool, and calming. The first thing that catches my eye is the glamorous display of shoes wrapped around the front counter. You might say I’m head over heels for a display of that kind (pun intended).
Bishop Consignment came to be in April 2022 when the mother-daughter duo of Susan and Nicole Bishop took over the consignment shop from a previous owner. Since then, they’ve transformed the space into a chic second-hand shopping destination where there is truly something for everyone.
“We’ve always loved clothes, and have shopped secondhand in various ways, whether it’s thrift or vintage or consignment,” says Nicole when I ask about their start in the consignment industry.
“I love the circular economy,” she adds. “Just because you’re done with something doesn’t mean that it has to be done with, you know? I think that having all these other options is amazing. Vintage in particular is really cool. And I always love the history behind a piece.”
Bishop Consignment is curated in a way that reflects the love of fashion, sustainability, and the history behind a piece. Each item is selected with intention, always mindful of accessibility.
“We’re kind of all over the map with what we accept, we just go by instinct. If we think something is really cool or unique, we accept it,” says Nicole. “We love unique pieces. We have a couple of vintage pieces from a woman who had them made when she was living in Hollywood in the 60s.”
“We’re curated by way of style and piece, not by brand. We organize by colour so when you walk in, we want people to see everything.”
Nicole and Susan remember the stories behind many of the pieces they sell. Throughout the entirety of our conversation, they are eager to reminisce on the backstories of some memorable pieces, and the people that brought them in. It’s clear how much they value their connections to their consignors and customers.
“We love what we do, and we’re really happy to be doing it in Collingwood.”
It’s also important to note the sustainability and ethicality of second-hand shopping. The mass production of fast fashion contributes to heavy water consumption and global carbon emissions. By choosing to shop secondhand you’re actively reducing waste, conserving resources and lowering your carbon footprint. Each vintage or consignment purchase helps to combat the negative effects of fast fashion by extending the life of a garment that might otherwise end up in a landfill.
At Curio, Carri states that she tries to incorporate sustainability elsewhere as well, such as tagging, laundry and bagging. If you visit Bishop Consignment on Instagram, you’ll see the tagline “Where sustainability meets style”, and throughout my conversation with Nicole and Susan, there is a constant theme of the importance of sustainability. It’s a small but meaningful way to support a more circular economy, where clothes are treasured, reimagined, and re-loved rather than discarded.
Plus, all the coolest kids are shopping vintage these days. Next time you see a hip person with great style, ask them where they got their clothes – I’ll bet you they say they got them vintage, just saying!
For both stores, the emphasis is on creating a unique shopping experience that celebrates sustainability, individuality, and the beauty of the past. In an era of fast fashion, these shops display the power of thoughtful curation and the art of storytelling through fashion. Customers not only leave with a one-of-a-kind item, but with a sense of connection—to the piece, to the past, and to the sustainable practices these shops uphold.
The secondhand fashion scene in Grey Bruce Simcoe is thriving. From Curio to Bishop’s, to Maddogs, Mill Street Vintage, Little Brothers, Wild Flowers Consignment and Loved You Madly, the thrifting/second-hand/vintage community invites you to explore, connect, and fall in love with a piece of the past all over again.
Words By Maddy Grasman
Curio photos by Ashley Winters
Bishop’s Consignment photos by Erin J Coholan
