Split Apart Secondhand LLC, a retail store scheduled to open in the historic Providence Arcade, will feature well-made and unique vintage clothing in a broad range of sizes.
The store, owned by Sonia Gilewicz, has vintage clothing and accessories for men and women. It is intended to complement two other vintage stores in the building, including immediate neighbor Carmen and Ginger.
The market for vintage is strong in Providence, and her store emphasizes looks and finds from the 1930s to the early 1990s. Yes, Generation X is now vintage.
“I may not have exactly the one piece you’re looking for. But I want people to be able to come in and try on more than one item if they’re looking for something,” she said. “So, I have the skirt with the 23-inch waist. But I also have dresses that are the equivalent of a modern 4X.”
Gilewicz, who moved to Providence in 2008, sold items at pop-up sales and flea markets before incorporating her business in May. She wanted a retail location and she was thrilled to find an open spot at the Arcade.
“I have always loved vintage,” she said. “This is something I’ve always wanted to do. Having a physical location allows you to interface with your customers in a way that you can’t online.”
