Almost exactly a year ago, Carrie Zorich heard that the owner of Fresh Vintage in downtown Muscatine planned to retire and sell or close the business. Intrigued, Zorich bought the shop, updated it, and made it her own. To celebrate her first anniversary of taking up the reigns at Fresh Vintage, the Greater Muscatine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GMCCI) hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony at the shop on September 13th.

Zorich felt passionate about breathing new life into Fresh Vintage when she decided to take it over. As she put it, “I think it’s vital to our community to have a thriving downtown which includes having some great retail options for community members as well as visitors from out of town.”

Zorich has certainly put her all into making Fresh Vintage one of these great retail options. She describes Fresh Vintage as a, “home and lifestyle market,” that specializes in decorations, silk floral arrangements, kitchen items, and beautifully crafted gifts, such as candles, jewelry, skincare products, and stationary. In this attractively laid out store, at 208 W. Second Street, Muscatine, visitors can find a wide array of tasteful, often locally or regionally made, items to add a classic touch to anyone’s life and home.

Over the past year, Zorich’s passion for Fresh Vintage has grown, and she has developed a love for helping her customers, “I enjoy welcoming and assisting our customers when they come into the shop,” she said. “Our customers have really become friends, so these relationships have been the best part of my experience. I hope people always feel welcome and at home when they come shop at Fresh Vintage.” Zorich’s excellent customer service has continued to make Fresh Vintage the outstanding local business she knew it could become.

At the ribbon cutting ceremony, the GMCCI celebrated all the work Zorich has put into Fresh Vintage and welcomed new and old visitors to come check it out. As Zorich explained, “it was fun to introduce so many people to Fresh Vintage who had never been there. [I] also, loved getting a chance to say, ‘thank you!’ to all the people who have supported me this past year.”

In the years ahead, Zorich looks forward to continuing to grow Fresh Vintage and to welcoming more people to her unique business. “I would encourage people to come check out Fresh Vintage the next time you are needing a special gift for someone else or for yourself!” she enthused.

As an active member of the GMCCI, she also hopes that her business, in tandem with others, can help Muscatine’s downtown continue to thrive and expand. “I think our downtown offers so much beauty and charm! I love being part of it!” Zorich asserted. Situated in Pearl Plaza, a hub of small businesses and local restaurants, Fresh Vintage has the potential to bring many people downtown to check it out, and to explore the outstanding local businesses surrounding it.