Treasure Hunting at Newport Folk Vintage

Photography by Sydney Rezendes/courtesy of Folk Vintage.

Inside 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. 

Folk Vintage owner Sydney Gordon. Photography by Sydney Rezendes/courtesy of Folk Vintage.

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.”

Folk Vintage owner Sydney Gordon. Photography by Sydney Rezendes/courtesy of Folk Vintage.

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

Folk Vintage owner Sydney Gordon. Photography by Sydney Rezendes/courtesy of Folk Vintage.