A 90s Revival

Prior to COVID, my dear friend T and I used to get together weekly for coffee from 7-9pm. Usually, we'd work on art projects and sometimes we'd bail and go thrift shopping. Sadly, most coffee shops and retail haven't fully recovered, leaving us with one coffee shop open until 9pm (Oddfellows Cafe in Elliott Bay Books) and one thrift shop (Goodwill).

Bemoaning a coffee culture that seems to have died, and bemoaning the death of a Capitol Hill that used to be quirky, artsy, and alternative, and now is mostly banks and medical centers, we've conceded to the fact that there are few options left, and hoping that someday things will rebound. 

Well, today, we got a sprinkle of joy, a hint of hope: we got together to celebrate T's birthday, and go coffee and Goodwill. On a whim, I decided to Google "thrift stores near me open now" on the off chance that somewhere's hours had expanded. And to our pleasant surprise we discovered a whole new vintage mall!

The Late Night Vintage Market opened in late 2022, and is open every day except Tuesday until midnight. 

The are 3 floors featuring multiple (20+) vendors, and the display seems to just keep going and going. If you want to get nostalgic for 80s and 90s memorabilia or fashion, or for the younger generation who is enjoying 90s trends on their way back around, this place is for you.

Just a few of the cool items we saw tonight:

These gently used Steve Madden boots for $40 (would have come home with me if they were my size!).

This classic Mickey sweatshirt:

Or how about this pineapple serving set?

Or perhaps Mad magazine was more your style?

We kept enjoying racks upon racks of nostalgia, from rainbow lunchboxes to color-blocked jackets. But ultimately, we loved the feel of Capitol Hill from the 90s, and the idea that items with personality are still alive and well.

Here's to more revival in the coming year! Do you you think that's what T wished for?

(New in package candles rescued from Buy Nothing.)