Beloved Hoboken thrift shop, Vintage on First at 257 First Street, is starting a new chapter down the shore. The store became a community favorite after a turbulent start in Hoboken several years ago, but the owner, Mark Rosado, says he’s switching gears and seizing a new opportunity by taking over a new shop in Belmar. Read on for information about the new store at the Jersey Shore and the store’s history in Hoboken.
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The Beginning Of Vintage On First
The opening of the vintage shop felt like a rollercoaster ride. Mark Rosado had traveled the world for years, collecting cool items and clothes, and started selling his finds at different markets in New York City. He had been outfitting celebrities and his passion for creating amazing outfits out of unique pieces continues today.
Back in 2017, Hoboken welcomed Mark’s store, Vintage on First, to its first location. Just weeks after the grand opening, it was forced to shut down due to a rental scam. Mark previously told The Hoboken Girl he discovered his “landlord” was a tenant who had fallen behind on rent. The real landlord had taken the keys and told the shop to vacate the store. Thanks to the support of the community, Mark was able to host pop-ups in nearby locations like Antique Bakery at 122 Willow Avenue. The store later reopened down the street for the second time.
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The second location was just a short–term lease, but Mark was committed to finding a permanent home for Vintage on First in Hoboken. He continued to look for a new location to sell vintage clothes and goods before finally settling on 257 First Street. It’s where Mark and his crew have sold an incredible collection of clothes for the past six years.
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Since Mark opened the doors to his vintage shop, the Hoboken community embraced the store. On top of selling clothes, the storefront welcomed Porch Finds, a pop-up shop selling second-hand clothes and other vintage finds. The pop–up partnered with Vintage On First in 2018 before making the store its permanent home in 2023. No word yet on what Porch Finds plans to do with the upcoming move.
Bring On Belmar
Mark tells The Hoboken Girl he’s in the process of buying the oldest vintage store, Nostalgic Nonsense Vintage Clothing, at the Jersey Shore. He says the business he’s taking over has operated for over 35 years in Belmar. Located at 913 Main Street, the shop is only a few blocks from the water. No opening date has been announced yet.
The previous store, Nostalgic Nonsense Vintage Clothing, sold a wide variety of clothes representing many decades. A feast for time travelers, the store displayed outfits from the 1920s, 1950s, 1980s, and more. The owner, Pat Tecza, retired this year after spending decades selling gently used clothes down the shore, according to a Facebook post.
Remaining Thrift Shops in Hoboken
With the departure of Vintage on First from Hoboken, there are still a handful of thrift and vintage stores in the city. Hudson County is home to several great vintage stores for shoppers looking for their next unique fashion piece.
See More: A Guide to Thrift Stores + Antique Shops in Montclair
Shoppers looking to stay in Mile Square can still explore The Armoire Thrift at 60 Newark Street. Revival Vintage Boutique started as a small tent at a Brooklyn flea market before expanding to 86 Park Avenue. Newer to the scene is Thrifted by J & D, open Wednesday through Sunday at 526 Adams Street.
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