PORT HENRY — Nicole Van Buren has a philosophy at her Vintage Reimagined shop that follows “what’s old is new again.”
Whether it’s furniture or household goods, Van Buren can restore it to become a work of art at her 3259 Broad St. boutique in Port Henry.
“I knew this was for me,” she told the Press-Republican recently. “Mostly, I refinish furniture and I do custom work. I love to turn things that are old into things people want.”
The other half of her store on Broad Street is used by her friend, Stacey Phelps, to sell new clothing, shoes, handbags, and jewelry.
The two friends are from the same town in Vermont. Van Buren was a social worker and Phelps the visual merchandiser for Killington Ski Resort before they ended up across Lake Champlain in Moriah.
“I stopped doing social work during COVID (pandemic) and my mother saw some furniture and said ‘you need this for your new house.’ I refinished it and sold it though.”
That got her into a new career of refurbishment.
“I’ve always been crafty,” Van Buren said. “I only wanted to fill my house with refurbished things. This (shop) is ideal for me.”
She said she’s self-taught at refinishing furniture, and has a room in the back of her shop where she works on items.
“Stacy and I have connections in Vermont,” she said. “A lot of our business comes by word-of-mouth.”
Moriah Town Supervisor Matthew Brassard was at the grand opening of Vintage Reimagined recently.
“Thanks for investing in Port Henry,” he told them. “It’ll take a little while but we’ll get Main Street back. We’ll revitalize Port Henry.”
Moriah Chamber of Commerce President Ric Lewis said the chamber is glad to have them aboard.
“You invested in our town and you’re on your way to a successful business,” he told them.
Store hours are Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Van Buren and Phelps welcome appointments, and Vintage Reimagined can be reached at vanburennl@gmail.com, or by calling 518-224-1774.
“Our journey was unconventional,” Van Buren said. “We’re excited to bring a new experience to Port Henry.”