Copyright Hartford Courant
Lorin and Rich Wheeler’s goal for their new business in Collinsville, East West Vintage, is to create an environment that “feels real and makes people want to stay awhile.” “This has been a dream of ours for years,” Lorin Wheeler said. “My husband Rich has spent most of his life archiving and collecting vintage. He has this incredible eye and deep respect for craftsmanship and materials. I come from the fashion world in New York City where I worked with fashion houses as a director and learned the importance of storytelling through design.” The store, located at 110 Main Street in Collinsville, celebrated its grand opening on Oct. 25. It carries vintage clothing, accessories and home décor. Everything from ’70s leather, vintage Levi’s, rock tour T-shirts, ’90s grunge flannel, handmade knits from the ’40s, collectible pottery, Murano sculptural glassware, mid-century glassware and furniture. Rich Wheeler curates the apparel and accessories and focuses on quality, patina and provenance. Lorin Wheeler’s specialty is home décor and interiors. “Together, we’ve created something that feels cohesive and lifestyle-driven,” Lorin Wheeler said. “Every item is hand-selected, never mass sourced. We want people to walk in and feel like everything here was chosen for a reason.” In addition to the vintage items, the couple wanted to a space to bring people together. “It’s moody, elevated and a little cinematic but still approachable with something for everyone,” Lorin Wheeler said. “It’s a mix between an art gallery and a record store you’d want to hang out in. “Everything is intentional: Limewashed walls, marble accents, vintage lighting and pieces that tell a story,” she added. “We wanted to create a vibe not just a store, a place that feels creative and alive. The kind of space where people walk in and instantly want to slow down and explore.” East West Vintage was selected as the name of the business because the husband and wife are from opposite coasts. Lorin is originally from Seattle and Rich is from Washington, D.C. “It felt like the perfect name to represent both of our worlds coming together. We also source our merchandise from all over the country, but it’s also symbolic,” Lorin Wheeler said. “The name reflects the balance we’re always chasing — old and new, refined and raw, minimal and expressive. It’s that in-between space where style, art and atmosphere meet.” The Wheeler’s moved to Collinsville in 2020 into what they call their dream home: Onyx A-Frame, which is featured on Instagram or TikTok. “We wanted to take everything we’ve learned and build something together. A space that feels inspiring, timeless and authentic to who we are,” Lorin Wheeler said. “What really drew us to Connecticut was the sense of community and creativity here. There’s this incredible balance of small-town charm and artistic energy. People truly care about supporting local businesses, about craftsmanship and about building something with intention. “It feels like a place where people still value connection. You can slow down, have real conversations and be part of something meaningful. That’s what we wanted for East West Vintage,” she added. Lorin Wheeler said the couple wants to add to Collinsville’s rich and creative history and to contribute to make Collinsville “a destination for people who love design, fashion and storytelling.” “Our hope is that East West Vintage becomes not just a store but a destination,” Lorin Wheeler said. “A place that feels different. A space that inspires people, brings energy to Collinsville, and hopefully reminds them that slow, intentional design is still something worth celebrating.” Regular store hours for East West Vintage will be Tuesday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
