One of the most popular home trends that rose out of the pandemic has been a collective appreciation for all things vintage and nostalgic. We seem to be longing for home décor and furnishings that have history and tell a story. Whether refurbishing our own family’s treasures or scouring local vintage shops, people are turning away from big box, mass-produced merchandise to items that surround us with connection, emotion and meaning. Ocala and the small towns that dot our outskirts is a treasure trove of vintage boutiques, thrift stores and antique shops. While Micanopy and Mount Dora have long been the super stars of this genre in Central Florida, Ocala is quickly becoming a contender. Here we explore just a small group of the many local vintage merchants.  

The Collectors

---

Crystal Flynn – Anthony, Florida 

Originally from Virginia and raised near Colonial Williamsburg, Crystal and her husband of 27 years, Jason inherited 13 acres of farmland in Anthony, Florida just on the outskirts of Ocala. Together with the help of Crystal’s Mom, Kate, they have set out to create their dream home. Along the way, they have accumulated a menagerie of 3 dogs, 4 cats, 5 mini goats, 2 mini donkeys, 7 chickens, and have rescued a horse and a pony. Through the influences of her upbringing, Flynn developed a love for collecting vintage items, in particular her collection of classic cookbooks featuring the iconic Clementine Paddleford’s cookbook.  China, antique linens and ironstone are just a few of her other favorite collectables to search for. Flynn believes in taking things slowly when it comes to the development of their home.  She explains; “It’s a fluid project and I believe in letting a house speak to you. I like to imagine the story and history behind each piece”.  Flynn is a regular “picker” at the vintage shops in Ocala and has developed a friendship with many of the owners. In fact, one of her favorite projects has been her kitchen island, a White Elephant find that she painstakingly refurbished.  In addition to the local stores in this article, Crystal also sources from stores in Micanopy, Mount Dora and EBay. 

You can follow her beautifully curated Instagram feed @sage_house_farm

Jamie Swanson, Ocala, Florida 

 

Jamie moved to Ocala in 1994 from Valrico, Florida. She and her husband Richard, (she started dating him when she was 16 years old!) now have a son Gibson and a lovely home just outside the historic district. They painstakingly transformed their backyard into a beautiful, tropical, lush oasis. Long before it’s current popularity, much to her mother’s chagrin, Jamie was always into secondhand, vintage buying. “I used to beg my mom to take me to vintage stores and she would wait in the car”. Jamie is known for her colorful, eclectic style and believes that one’s home should tell their story. While her career as a home healthcare worker, and her family come first, she has developed her collecting into a profitable side hustle. When asked what she looks for when foraging, Jamie follows her instinct; “ I look for what catches my eye and what I love personally. Vintage items tend to be well made and have character. I like to imagine the history and who loved it before it ended up with me”. To find her treasures she scouts out estate sales, Etsy, eBay and is a big believer in supporting small business and shopping locally.

Just check out her Instagram page @8one8vintage and see how fast her finds are snapped up in flash!