Vintage416 clothing and accessories boutique to open in Millvale
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A young Alayna Gallagher would visit her mom’s closet to try on dresses and high heels that were way too big.
Next, she’d put on necklaces and bracelets and rings. And oftentimes add a little makeup.
One of her mother’s purses would complete the look. Her mom’s friends would give her fun items to try on.
“Playing dress-up should never end,” said Gallagher as she stood inside her boutique, Vintage416 in Millvale. “I want people to come in to my store and play dress-up.”
They can, starting Tuesday. The shop on North Avenue will be open for business at 10 a.m.
Gallagher took over the location of Santini’s Beauty Salon and transformed the space. The colorful interior is inviting, and she’s found vintage clothing and accessories from estate sales, friends and other connections she’s made through her fashion career. She has women’s and men’s apparel, jewelry and other items such as candles and hats.
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Gallagher, 33, graduated from Illinois State University with a degree in fashion merchandising. She worked at the Limited Too and was a store manager for Talbots. She also spent seven years working in human resources.
She moved to Pittsburgh, where her parents live, after a divorce. Gallagher purchased the building and started renovating in December.
She originally planned to open in April. The pandemic held up construction and business operations. Instead, she started making face masks.
She took garments she planned to sell and started cutting them into squares. Her mom, Deb Olbert, friends and some parishioners from Christ Lutheran Church in Millvale — where her father, Scott Olbert, is the pastor — teamed up to make fashionable and functional face masks. They distributed them at the church. She hung some from her storefront — all for free.
“We took vintage Hawaiian shirts, ladies blouses from the ‘70s, swanky Oscar de la Renta fabric, and even household curtains and cut them to make masks,” Gallagher said. “I see my neighbors walk by wearing face masks made out of clothing from my store,” she said. “That is cool. Making face masks helped me stay positive during the pandemic.”
The pandemic has also taught her about what really mattered, she said. She thought more about the people and environment around her. She wants to sell items that can be reused and given a new life
“It was good to slow down a little bit,” Gallagher said. “It got me thinking about sustainable clothing and the importance of caring for the environment. Fast fashion is not good.”
So she bought reusable bags. She made price tags out of old material. Clothes are hung on wooden hangers. She even recyled an old icebox she found behind a wall when cleaning out the old salon. She uses it as a display case.
Most items in the store are in the $20-$30 range. She has a few higher-end pieces.
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Gallagher chose Millvale because her father’s church is there and also the area is going through a bit of a resurgence.
Jaime Renda, president of Millvale community development corporation and owner of Hahn funeral home, said she is excited to see another woman-owned business open up in the area. Renda said Gallagher has revived the former space and “infused new life into it.”
“I think Alayna’s business will thrive,” Renda said. “It aligns with the values that Millvale has adopted with our Ecodistrict Plan. Also, that fact that she lives in the community just shows her commitment to our town. I can’t wait to shop.”
Vintage416 is located at 416 North Ave. in Millvale