This month, two area boutiques—one from Missouri and one from Illinois—will venture across the Mighty Mississippi to collaborate on the East Coast/West Coast Trunk Shows. The two events will feature shopping, crafts, and giveaways.
On Saturday, March 16, Belleville-based My Vintage Addiction (119 East Main Street, 618-235-1111) will travel to The Foundrie (265 Chesterfield Mall, 636-730-4130) with vintage clothing, accessories, handbags, housewares, and upcycled jewelry. Visitors can bring their own leggings, pants, T-shirts or bags to dress up with patterns at the do-it-yourself screen-printing or block-printing stations.
Then on Saturday, March 23, The Foundrie will showcase a selection of handmade items, including Illinois-themed T-shirts, across the river at My Vintage Addiction. The block-printing station will return for this event.
Both events are free and will take place from noon to 4 p.m. Temporary tattoos designed by Lauren Busiere of Tower Classic Tattooing will be available at either event.
“Even though we’re in Chesterfield, it’s surprising how many of our customers come from Illinois,” says Elizabeth Hahn-Lawrence, co-owner of The Foundrie.
Courtney Chesley, co-owner of My Vintage Addiction, also comments, “[East Coast/West Coast] is an excellent way to give our customers a taste of what is out there on ‘the other side of the river.’”
My Vintage Addiction, which opened in May 2012, sells vintage items from the 1950s, ’60s and ’70s. The Foundrie, which started as a holiday pop-up shop in 2009 before opening a permanent location in 2011, carries the handmade products of more than 75 artists.
