Junk Love: Welcome Back!

So, you may have noticed that the Blackbird girls took a break for a while. We had a good excuse--promise! It all started back in February, and it is because of Liam Neeson. This will make sense eventually.

I was supposed to go to a movie with my mother. We had our date, time, and restaurant nailed down, so all we had left to do was agree on which movie to see. The problem was that there was no movie in theatres that either of us cared about in the slightest. But...Non-Stop was due out the following weekend, and neither of us can resist a Liam Neeson movie. So, we rescheduled. That is why I was at home at 2pm on a Sunday for the first time in months (I am a 7-day a week workaholic), and even more importantly, why I was bored.

When one is crushed by the weight of boredom, there are several potential cures: television, a good book, trolling the Internet for good junk, or actually leaving the house to go junk shopping. I decided to go with Option 3, and thereby ended up on the eighth wonder of the world: Craigslist, that magical artificial universe of junk, both good and bad. And, occasionally a place to find real estate.

We Blackbirds have dreamed of opening a store since day one, and I am the one who likes to torment us both by looking at commercial real estate online about once a month. We inevitably fall in love with a place that is geographically and financially impossible, and then we end up depressed and elbow-deep in pizza. So, on this particular Sunday at this particular time, because I am a masochist, I clicked on Real Estate. The very top listing was for a 1300 square foot shop in a nearby town for a ridiculously low monthly rent. I immediately called the other Blackbird, who ordered me to instantly-right-this-minute-why-are-you-wasting-time call the number on the ad. Two hours later, we were sitting in the car on a deserted street waiting to meet a strange man that we had met via Craigslist. And while we waited, we fell in love with our building.

It was old, with blue paint peeling down in huge strips. The dark windows looked sad, and the door was painted a psychedelic lime green. But we loved it, and as long as it didn't have a giant hole in the ceiling and snakes writhing on the floor, we were going to have it. The very next day, the lease was signed, we had keys in hand, and suddenly we realized that we had less than two months to be up and running in time for the local antiques festival (a perfect weekend to open a vintage shop, right?). This is when the blog died. It is also when we stopped sleeping regularly, speaking to our families, or eating vegetables.

 

After a lot of paint, a couple of new ballasts, and every possible Money Pit moment that you could imagine, we managed to get to what I would now lovingly refer to as Hell Week, during which we went to work, went to the shop, stayed up all night, went to work, went to the shop, stayed up all night, and pretty much survived on pizza and Snickers bars in order to get everything cleaned, priced, and placed for opening day. But we made it, and the shop has been buzzing like a little baby bee for two months now.

Now that I have blown the dust and cobwebs off of my laptop, it is time to get back to our regular blog schedule. I will try my best to get back into the habit, especially since I just noticed that we managed to get 4000 page views when we were not blogging. Check back if you can, or better yet, if you're in North Carolina, stop by the shop and say hello!

Blackbird Vintage
122 W. Swannanoa Ave.
Liberty, NC 27298
336-622-4775

Technical Difficulties

Sorry, Blackbird fans, for the extremely long wait on new blog posts!  We have a couple of things keeping us from writing:

1.  We have no internet.  We didn't have power for four days following a tiny (but dangerous) ice storm last week.  Trees fell all over town, knocking out power for over 21,000 people.  When it finally came back on, we realized that (as we have an electric hot water heater) a shower was the first, and most important, thing we needed.  After we handled that, we realized we had no cable.  Crap.  No internet when you run an online business sucks.  I've been handling Etsy with my phone, and I've had to wait in line to ship things the old fashioned way at the Post Office.  Shock! Horror!  No online postage!!  I've been getting the runaround from the cable people, but maybe we'll get it back soon.  Hmmmm....maybe.

 

2.  We're opening a store.  We're very excited about this!  I had elaborate plans to write some blog posts about our progress, but since we haven't had internet (see above), that hasn't happened.  We did have power at the shop during this whole mess, so we've been working hard on getting it ready to open.  Our goal opening date is April 24th, right before Liberty Antiques Festival.  Did I mention our shop's in Liberty, NC?  Come see us!  We promise we'll have it all painted and pretty by then! 

 

 

Hopefully we'll back to our regularly scheduled blogging soon, if I can ever get Time Warner to actually fix the cable...

The Skinny -- Montaldo's

Montaldo's was a staple of high quality shopping in North Carolina -- or so I hear.  And it's evident to me, in the pieces we find, that Montaldo's was all about quality and style.  I wanted to know more, but...there's not much out there.

I found out on the Vintage Fashion Guild site, here, that Montaldo's was a specialty ladies' shop, started in 1919.  Lillian Montaldo, with her sister Nelle, opened the stores, with locations throughout North Carolina (Charlotte, Raleigh, Greensboro, and Winston-Salem), Virginia (Richmond), Ohio (Columbus and Cincinnati), Colorado (Denver and Colorado Springs), Missouri (St. Louis), and Oklahoma (Bartlesville).  They were known for their excellent service and quality.

And that's about all I could find.  

Until I found this short article here, that has more information. But it also has conflicting information.  This article states that Lillian founded the first store with her husband, Raymond, in Kasas in 1918.  In 1923, they opened the second location in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.  Below is a photo of the Winston location, followed by a short article in the Winston-Salem Journal, dated September 21, 1923.  

 

MONTALDO BRINGS STYLE  TO W-SALEM      
The Latest to be Seen of Fifth Avenue   
 and Broadway Shown Here

  SPACIOUS STORE FILLED

  Nothing Better in City than Montaldo 
With the coming to Winston-Salem of  Montaldo’s perhaps as
never before 5th Avenue for the ultra-fashionable, was
brought to North Carolina.  Not only users of the highest priced
gowns and hats, but a complete line of all styles in medium
priced apparel is carried.  In fact the stock consists of a well
selected variety of ladies ready-to-wear and millinery.

Miss Lillian Montaldo, senior member of the firm, has an office
on 5th Avenue in New York, where she buys not only for her
own stores but for a great number of stores in the middle
west.  Miss Montaldo makes frequent trips to Winston-Salem
and keeps in close personal touch with the desires of her
North Carolina customers and keeps the Winston-Salem store
informed at all times of the very latest styles.  Almost every day
the store receives shipments of the newest patterns and latest
styles in ladies’ ready-to-wear.

With their spacious and attractive show rooms they are well
prepared to advantageously serve the most fastidious.

(Winston-Salem Journal, September 21, 1923)

Lillian Montaldo brought ready-to-wear clothing to areas that didn't have access to it.  Prior to her stores opening, women used patterns -- either making their clothing themselves or hiring a dressmaker.  If you were wealthy, you would travel to larger cities, like New York, for your wardrobe.  She worked out of her office on 5th Avenue in NYC, ordering the newest, freshest fashions for her stores.  This article, by Betsy L. Hendrix, quotes Lillian's nephew, Jack Montaldo:  "She was a dynamic, demanding, and no-nonsense woman.  She had to be."  Lillian's success was during a time when women struggled to have equal footing with men -- Hendrix states it was a "fierce business".

 

1946 Architectural plans for Montaldo's in Charlotte, North Carolina

And Montaldo was fierce.  She advertised in Vogue and Harper's Bazaar, as well as other prestigious fashion periodicals.  She wanted her store to be right at the top with other high end retailers.  And to reward that fierceness, she was awarded "Woman of the Year" in 1967 by the fashion industry. 

“Whatever is exceptional in quality and design must be offered to Montaldo’s customers.”

Lillian Montaldo 

Lillian died at the age of 95.  The Montaldo's chain closed in 1995.

Montaldo's, Durham, NC

We have a couple of pieces in our Etsy shop that were sold at Montaldo's.  First, below is a heavy silk and wool blend dress from the 1960s.  It looks so simple, but details reveal quality -- the back zipper is offset and hidden within a seam, pockets are hidden in the front seams, and the lining is hot pink.  Available here. Second, is a lustrous green velvet hat with a hot pink velvet rose.  The overall design and quality is top notch -- down to the beautiful sheen of the velvet and straight, even stitching on the brim.  Available here.

Bonus -- Down on the Farm

When it's time to redo the window at Collector's Antique Mall, there are times that it's really easy.  We know what we want to do, and we do it.  Then there are times like this window, where we have meticulously planned a certain theme for weeks, only to change it right before we do the window.  You know, like the day we do it.

This was the fifth idea we had for this window.  But it stuck with us (and instantly felt right when we came up with it), because it is near and dear to us.  Summertime in North Carolina is a wonderful thing.  Yes, it's hot.  But we're generously rewarded with nature's bounty -- Candor peaches, tomato sandwiches, and watermelon slices with lots of salt.

Not to mention the homemade ice cream.  And cold Cheerwines.

I was fortunate enough to grow up with a grandfather who was a North Carolina tobacco farmer.  I don't remember the tobacco -- that was before my time.  But I do remember the hot summer mornings spent on the farm in Biscoe, gathering what vegetables we could from his array of crops, and then selling them to locals in the shady front yard in the afternoon.

 

Now, I don't know how much work I actually did.  I'd like to think it was more than it probably was.  But I'm pretty sure I played at working.  

There are four things that stick out in my memory the most from those summers -- 

1.  The mid-morning snack.  My granny and I would leave the field and drive to Nash's Store in Candor to pick up various goodies for everyone.  I remember the RC colas and the Moon Pies, but I was strictly a Nabs kind of girl.  With a Pepsi or a Cheerwine, of course. 

 2.  The farm itself.  Never was there a better wonderland for children to amuse themselves.  We were reckless and fearless, and children today would not be allowed to do what we did.  Climbing to the top of the silo and jumping into the corn.  Running from side to side on the big tobacco carts to make them see-saw.  Riding (and crashing) the three-wheeler.  Fishing in the ponds.  Making fairy houses in tree roots with rocks and leaves.  Tramping through the woods looking for adventure.

3.  Lunch. No food on this planet tastes as good as home-cooked country food made by your granny after you've worn yourself out (whether you've done it through actually picking veggies or by playing).  Her biscuits were legendary.  But if you add a fresh tomato slice, cut from one picked that morning?  Heaven.  Then you can always finish with one of my favorite things -- peanut butter and Karo syrup stirred together.  My mama eats it with biscuits, but I can eat it with a spoon.  Holy crap, that's good!

4.  Family.  I have a large family, with lots of cousins.  And we've always been close.  I remember seeing them almost every day during the summer.  Joking and laughing, playing and fighting.  Eating and working.  My best friends were my cousins.  I was the youngest at this time (not for very long, though), and they were my role models and my protectors.  Yeah, and my enemies at times.  But whether we were getting into trouble or playing Boogeyman or Hide and Seek --  we knew we had each other.  We all knew that we were loved and supported and safe.  We were allowed to explore with no boundaries.  And I'd like to think that because of that, we were each able to find ourselves.  That those experiences from our childhood spent together, have shaped who we are today.  That the principles we learned through that love and work and play, still influence the decisions we make in our lives now.

So I'd like to dedicate this window to my Papa Cecil and Granny Frances.  For teaching me the value of hard work and love.  

Junk Love Monday: The Big Ten

This week, we have decided to spill some secrets. When the Blackbird girls need a big junk fix, certain antique malls sing sweetly to us across the miles. We, of course, willingly answer the call, even if it involves hours of travel. It certainly helps that we are pretty centrally located, so beach and mountain shops are never out of the question. And, we have certainly scoured the state for those premier antique shopping experiences. So, here are our top 10 favorite antique malls in North Carolina. (We will later post our list for smaller shops, and out-of-state gems.) In no particular order, we introduce:

1. Screen Door, Asheville NC
      We love this store. It is a fairly recent find, and it pops up in conversation regularly. It is well-curated, with a lot of industrial, distressed, and elegantly re-purposed items, as well as great architectural pieces, antiques, and collectibles.
Visit their website: http://www.screendoorasheville.com/pages/faq.php

2. Oddfellows Antiques, Asheville NC
     Another favorite in the Asheville area. It has around 16,000 sq. feet of antiques, with a lot of furniture, stained glass, architectural items,  and things with a certain interesting "look." You can easily find a beaver top hat, 1930s trophies, leather books, or old store signage.
Go!: http://oddfellowsasheville.com/

3. Bryant Antiques, Asheville NC
     We drop a lot of dough at this place. There are a lot of dealers that cater to our wide list of collections, and the prices are reasonable. I once bought a large (around 20"x30") vintage pinup for $75--a steal, as it was in mint condition, and looks fantastic hanging in my house. Also, it is right beside Oddfellows, so we can park once and spend the whole day buying junk!
Their website is here: http://bryantantiquesbiltmore.com/

4. Sweeten Creek Antique Mall, Asheville NC
     This is another fairly recent discovery, and it is huge. The prices are great, also. We still lament that perfect little mid-century hutch--only $100, but not possible to fit in a Yaris! Le sigh....
Go!: http://www.sweetencreekantiques.com/

5. The Depot at Gibson Mill, Concord NC
      Very huge. The building used to be a functional mill, and has been upgraded with heat/air conditioning (important!). There is a large section geared toward decorators, with new upholstered furniture, fountains, fabric, etc. But, there is also a lot of square footage devoted to traditional antique vendors. We always find great things here, but plan on many hours of shopping to see it all.
Their website: http://depotgibsonmill.com/

6. Collector's Antique Mall, Asheboro NC
      We admit to some bias, because we both work here. However, we've both been customers for longer than that (and usually spend a fair share of our paychecks here). It is 35,000 square feet of antiques and collectibles, and tends to be on the regular migratory path of antique buyers from all over the South. Their website stinks, but here is the Facebook page:
Go!:http://www.facebook.com/pages/Collectors-Antique-Mall/321877306363

7. Antique Market Place, Greensboro NC
      This one is right off of I-40 West, and well worth a full afternoon. You can find anything from Victorian to Mid-Century, and there is a lot that is just neat to look at.
Their website is here: http://www.triadantiques.com/

8. Sleepy Poet, Charlotte NC
      They have a great vintage clothing section, a huge selection of vintage vinyl, and pretty much anything else you can think of.
Go!: http://sleepypoetstuff.com/

9. Sanford Antique Mall, Sanford NC
      My favorite purchase from here: a vintage cardboard movie advertisement (18"x24") for $45. They also have great kitchen collectibles, and a large selection of books.
Their website: http://sanfordantiquemall.com/

10. Smokey Park Antique Mall, Candler NC
     It's sort of in the middle of nowhere, but it's only 15 minutes past Asheville. Our favorite thing about this shop is that we always see versions of things that we've never seen before, if that makes sense. An example: we see a lot of vintage Santas here and there, but this place has a whole showcase of Santas that we've never seen in person at another shop, only in reference books. They are also good about calling dealers with offers on items. Just don't believe them if they tell you that they'll be open on Easter. Lies, I tell you!
Go!: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Smokey-Park-Antique-Mall/158177827547843

and, okay, we had to add another one:
11. The Salisbury Emporium, Salisbury NC
     In the historic Frick Building, right beside the old train station. The staff is very nice, the selection is great, and if you ever wanted anything to do with Cheerwine, this is the place for you. (Cheerwine comes from Salisbury!)
Go!: http://www.salisburyemporium.com/

Go and shop! The only way we get to enjoy our favorite places is if they stay in business!