My new favorite vintage store

This weekend I discovered Vintage Attict at The Downtown Market (45 S. French Broad Ave., Asheville, 255-8858). The shop is run like a booth in an antique market: it's a square of space jam-packed with all sorts of clothing, art, accessories and ephemera and the proprietors are on hand to answer questions and strike bargains.

This particular stall spoke to me because I liked both the style of the owners (pictured here) and the whole 70s-electic-country rock point of view.

In order to work, a vintage store (whether it's a boutique in the East Village, a booth in an antiques mall or a few racks set up at a street fair) has to have a clear POV. Some of my favorites have included Cleopatra's in Rochester N.Y. (beaded gowns, 20s apparel, film noir); J.W. Bunker in Pittsford, N.Y. (overdyed military wear) and Vintage Moon in Asheville (shawls, beaded purses, fringed leather, Stevie Nicks).

In a space no larger than a walkin closet, Vintage Attict delivers that same sort of step-back-in-time narative with artfully stacked, heaped, hung and displayed treasure ranging from a tissue-thin Bon Jovi concert tee and feather earrings to strappy leather wedge sandals and prfectly distressed biker jacket (below).

Other finds: An embroidered denim shirt

retro train cases

metallic belts

boots, heels and mules

And hand-tooled leather.