The moment customers walk into Time Warp Boutique, they are welcomed by ’80s dance music, chipper customer service and an armada of vintage items.
Vintage and antique shopping is all the rage, and with shops like Aladdin’s Lamp Antiques, Honeymoon Bungalow and Circa 1857 joining Time Warp, Government Street has evolved into a haven for vintage and antique collectors.
These unique shops offer an assortment of items like antiques, vintage clothing and furniture, vinyl records and various trinkets.
“We have the best boots and belts in town,” said Lorraine Henley, Time Warp assistant manager.
Time Warp is a multi-dealer shop that purchases items from dealers across the South and from the general public, Henley said.
Much like Time Warp, Aladdin’s Lamp Antiques purchases items like original oil paintings, vintage costume jewelry and used LP records from multiple vendors that offer eclectic selections, said Aladdin’s owner Greg Hanson.
The customer base of Time Warp is broad, ranging from college kids to the older crowd, Henley said.
A lot of the items in the store are vintage brand names like Dior and Chanel, along with other generic items that look just as good and are in high demand by customers, Henley said.
Time Warp also offers vintage University memorabilia, like retro LSU jackets, that might appeal to people who aren’t usually interested in vintage, Henley said.
“Grub, game day, school clothes — we’ve got it all covered,” she said.
Patrick Dufauchard, photography freshman, compared vintage items to the saying “one man’s trash is another man’s treasure.”
“You can find so many clothing items that people are done with, and others can get them and put a new spin on them,” Dufauchard said.
People are willing to part with their money for vintage because items last longer, don’t degrade in value and are of better quality, Henley said.
But Kasey Ball, education junior who frequents vintage and antique shops in Baton Rouge, said she likes vintage items because they are generally cheaper.
“You’re not buying outsourced things,” Ball said.
Julia Terese, Time Warp sales associate and creative writing and sociology junior, said all fashion comes full circle, noting that spreads in magazines like Vogue still show ’40s pencil skirts and ’50s blouses.
“You could buy something from Perkins Rowe, wear it to a party, and 50 people will have on the same thing,” Terese said. “If you buy something from Time Warp, you know it’s one-of-a-kind. There’s this sort of alluring quality in wearing a piece of history.”
Hanson said everybody likes a well-built item, and that’s what Aladdin’s provides.
People can buy items from a commercialized department store that will last two years, or they can buy items from a vintage or antique store that will last them forever, Hanson said.
He said Aladdin’s knows the individual story of each item in the store.
“Our items are like heirloom-quality things,” Hanson said.
Henley mentioned the individuality of antique items as another major draw to vintage.
She is convinced vintage isn’t just a trend but is here to stay because it’s collectible and environmentally friendly. There’s no waste when it comes to vintage, which is important in the 21st century, she said.
Along with providing great vintage items, shops like Time Warp specialize in customer service.
Time Warp’s customer service extends beyond the store by outfitting people for events, hosting fashion shows and an ’80s prom at The Spanish Moon, Henley said.
“We want to have fun and want our customers to have fun,” she said.
Henley said Time Warp and its sister store, Honeymoon Bungalow, have Facebook accounts, and Time Warp often does secret sales exclusive to Facebook friends.
Working in a vintage shop allows for individuality, a less commercialized atmosphere, a medium of self-expression and opportunities to be part of incredible events, said Erin Sullivan, Time Warp assistant manager.
“Working here, I’ve met so many cool people,” Sullivan said.
Terese said working at a vintage shop is rewarding because she gets to interact with people on a personal level and help them fall in love with vintage.
Terese explained that atmosphere plays a big role in the uniqueness of the vintage and antique shops on Government Street.
“Everyone who walks in the store compliments us on the atmosphere,” Terese said. “It’s fun, and me and the other Time Warp girls know what we’re talking about and are really eager to help.”
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Contact Ferris W. McDaniel at [email protected]