The first Columbus Vintage Exchange is coming this August
What pairs perfectly with food truck bites? Vintage clothes, apparently.
At this year’s 12th annual Columbus Food Truck Festival, on August 19th and 20th at the Franklin Country Fairgrounds, you can find a lot more than just tacos and burgers. Jordan Hensley, the founder of The Columbus Vintage Exchange, will be slinging his vintage finds there, too, right in the open-air Edwards Building, along with 40 other national, hand-picked vintage dealers.
Jordan used to work in the entertainment industry, but when Covid impacted his source of income, he pivoted to selling at antique malls and then eventually, participating in vintage pop-ups. He loves that vintage clothes, “…are a statement – a way to pay homage to our childhood, in a way. Our style shows who we are, where we come from, and how we like to present ourselves. Also, I’m just a sucker for a good thrashed up, faded t-shirt.”
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He and his fiance realized that expanding outside of just popups and antique malls seemed feasible. Now, his dream of hosting a vintage festival is finally coming to fruition. Adding onto his excitement, he gets to do this alongside his good friends Adam Himmel and Tony Cipriani, owners of Midwest Vintage Collective and co-founders of this popup, and Chas, the founder of the Columbus Food Truck Festival.
At last year’s food truck festival, Jordan noticed that a lot of the people in attendance were wearing vintage clothes and seemed to be the same demographic that would come to his own popups. “Chas and I agreed that they seem to go hand-in-hand, and I’m fortunate enough to collaborate on the event together,” Jordan remarked.
Collaboration in Columbus seems to be key. Jordan emphasized, “I don’t look at other vintage vendors as competition – I feel like the only way to keep our scene alive and push forward is to support each other. What makes popups special is that they offer different things at each booth.”
And speaking of different things, Jordan said that this Columbus Vintage Exchange will be unlike any other vintage fest or flea. They’re going to highlight eclectic vendors and makers, and plan on including live demonstrations of how to up-cycle clothing. Along with a showcase of top-tier vintage clothing, accessories, home goods, and even toys, you’ll have an up-close and personal look at vendors sewing and heat pressing during the event. For example, Mojo Casher Threads of Lebanon, OH, is known for making custom shirt transfers from old ads and scans from magazines or newspapers. Make sure you check them out.
Anyone who needs a break from all of their treasure hunting can chill out in the retro lounge, where video games and cool furniture will be featured. Photo booths will be on cite for those who love to capture their memories.
The food truck festival admission will fortunately allow you to browse through the vintage, too. With one hand on a lobster roll, and another on a graphic T, it sounds like the perfect combo for a memorable summer afternoon.
To view vendor showcases and seek out more information, be sure to follow Columbus Vintage Exchange, Midwest Vintage Collective, and Columbus Food Truck Festival on Instagram. Tickets can be purchased here.
Want to read more? Check out our print publication, (614) Magazine. Learn where you can find a free copy of our new July issue here!
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