Sasha Crum, owner of Chartreuse & Co., is a place that sells vintage home goods to furnish your home. As well as many authentic pieces from centuries ago.
After a visit to their store located on Buckeystown Pike in Frederic, I got to scout the place out. They have six rural acres filled with iconic barns and are open Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Vintage objects have more history than what meets the eye. It’s the stories of where they came from and how their owner ended up in possession of these objects that make each piece unique and special.
Lisa Romero, who works at the store, jokingly said, “her husband calls it junk” but she believes the opposite. Surrounded by the vintage items she’s collected and sells, Crum took a few minutes to talk about her business and her love for vintage goods.
The barn where everything happens.
The Commuter: What led you to the world of selling vintage home goods?
Crum: Chartreuse & Co came about from my personal love for vintage; my main goal was to bring new life to these forgotten pieces. As a teenager, I used to mainly shop for clothes at thrift shops or flea markets. I didn’t want to wear what everyone else was wearing, and most of these retailers sold the same pieces in different shades. By doing that, I started collecting more than just clothes — it was utensils, tea sets, tables, and chairs… with the dream that maybe one day I could open my very own vintage store.
Once I reached my 30s, I had what you call an ”identity crisis” and decided to reinvent my life. I decided to quit my 9-5 job at the time to fully focus on creating my own business. I had already been selling my best finds on third-party seller websites like Shopify and Depop. I was scared of whether I was going to be successful since the society that we live in believes in throwing out old unwanted belongings. By doing this, we forget about the beauty of the old and what it can offer today. Many of our current trends are often inspired by vintage styles because they are timeless. I opened Chartreuse & Co for the creative souls who believe in timeless beauty and the fact that it lives within us all.
The counter where everything gets checked out.
The Commuter: What is the process you go through in finding the perfect items to sell?
Crum: Well, I love to visit local thrift shops and flea markets, especially when I’m abroad, to search for these unique items. I am always on the lookout for the next timeless piece, and I fall in love with it each time. I usually try to find an item that triggers an initial emotional response or that catches my eyes, that’s how I know I found something worth selling.
When looking at items for the shop, I look for items that are sturdy, aesthetic and unique. I also think about the Who, What, When, and Now. I like to picture whoever originally owned the item and what they bought it for. How could someone use it now? I also partner with other vintage dealers to expand the scope of my search.
Some of the beautiful artwork for sale.
The Commuter: What is your favorite era of all times?
If I had to choose, it would be the Renaissance era. It was a vibrant period of European cultural, artistic, political and scientific ‘rebirth’ following the Middle Ages. I believe it originated in Italy, and from that period came the works of Leonardo da Vinci on the Mona Lisa and the many works of Michelangelo or Shakespeare.
What I love the most about this era is its romantic flair it has to it. Each item I’ve found remaining from that period in time is always in great condition because their owners put a lot of love and care into it. The literature and art from the Renaissance period have my heart as well, they make you want to fall in love with a prince, and wish you born as a princess in a castle.
Some interesting pieces I found…
The Commuter: Do you have any words of wisdom for anyone thinking about opening up their online business?
Crum: If you have a dream, go after it and never stop fighting for it. You can do anything in life if you put your mind to it. Running and owning a business can be scary, as it requires a lot of self-motivation and passion. That being said,, my thought is that if you never go after what you want then you’ll never get it.
My advice is that if you’re thinking about opening your shop and are still unsure, try starting small or part-time. The more love and attention you put into it the more it can bloom. Treat your customers like they are kings and always provide the best service that will want to make them come back. Also, you need to surround yourself with like-minded people and a strong support system, as they will help you tremendously along this journey.
Chartreuse & Co. is at 4007 Buckeystown Pike, Frederick. It’s open to the general public the third Friday-Sunday of each month, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. They can be reached at 301-874-1882 or on Instagram @chartreuseandco. Go to https://chartreuseandco.com/
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