Vintage Charm was born from my love of anything vintage and, of course, charming. I have long scoured flea markets, antique sales and estate sales to discover unique pieces that reflect an earlier era, with a mix of nostalgia, whimsy and unmistakable style. What was once my personal pastime turned into a home-based business and, later to a booth in an antique mall. In 2002, Vintage Charm opened as an 800-square-foot shop in the quaint West End of La Grange and garnered such a quick following that we moved to a larger 4,500-square- foot location across the tracks in 2005, in a building that teems with its own distinctive and rich history. Vintage Charm has given me the opportunity to cross paths with so many wonderful people, from my hometown and all over the Chicago area, whom I would have never met otherwise. I want to thank our customers and welcome them to stop by and see the latest charming pieces we’ve found that can, in the end, make their day as they walk out with a telltale pink bag. As I continue to seek out pieces of the past and discover new products and artists that embody what Vintage Charm is all about, I get the most joy in watching our customers share in that discovery. In different ways for each of us, vintage pieces stir emotions and tucked-away memories, while a fun new piece — whether it’s a simple but stunning bracelet, a colorful, sentimental picture frame, an irresistible pair of shoes — reminds us how rewarding it is to indulge ourselves a bit.