Madeline Rogers transitions from selling vintage fashion online to launching her dedicated storefront in Wicker Park, fostering community and individuality in the vintage scene.
Madeline Rogers, a former art handler and photographer, has successfully transitioned from selling vintage fashion from her home to opening a dedicated storefront for her business, Vintage House Chicago, located at 1433 N. Milwaukee Ave. in Wicker Park. The shop officially opened on March 19, 2025, following a ribbon-cutting celebration with a live DJ. This marks a significant milestone for Rogers, who began her journey in 2020 with backyard markets, ultimately evolving into a popular monthly vintage market.
Rogers initiated Vintage House Chicago in the summer of 2021 as a small event featuring just five vendors in her backyard. The success of this venture led her to host a larger market at the Logan Square Auditorium in December of that same year. “Since then, I just kind of was like, ‘I’ll keep doing it as long as people are interested,’” Rogers shared. Her commitment to the vintage community has paid off, with the market growing into a twice-monthly event at various local venues since 2023.
The new storefront will offer not only Rogers’ brand, Primaries Vintage, which includes a range of masc wear, femme wear, and home goods but will also feature one of the city’s few analog photo booths from Auto Photo. The store plans to include an additional ten rotating vendors each weekend, providing a diverse selection of vintage goods. Vendors participating in the opening weekend include Daily Digs Vintage, Fad2fresh, and Ladies of the Loon, among others.
Rogers emphasized the importance of accessibility and inclusivity in her new shop, aspiring to replicate the welcoming atmosphere established in her initial backyard gatherings. “I just want to create a place that feels universally welcome for people,” she said. The concept behind Vintage House is rooted in Rogers’ past experiences and her desire to foster a community around vintage fashion. She has expressed that the shop should feel like a home—a space where individuals are encouraged to browse and connect without the pressure to purchase.
The distinctive appeal of the store also lies in its curated selection, which Rogers believes is crucial for allowing customers to express individuality through vintage clothing. Her journey into vintage fashion began in Seattle, where she developed a passion for antiques influenced by her grandmother and early experiences in rummage sales. This foundational love for vintage culture continues to shape her vision for Vintage House Chicago.
Having moved to Chicago for college in 2015, Rogers immersed herself in the local vintage scene, discovering her personal style and a wealth of community support among fellow vintage sellers. She described the vintage community in Chicago as “strong-knit,” highlighting the mutual encouragement among local vendors. “I do feel like everyone here is really looking out for one another,” she remarked.
Vintage House Chicago will be open for business Thursday to Monday from noon to 6 p.m., providing a platform for both seasoned vintage enthusiasts and new shoppers to explore a wide variety of unique items. As Rogers embraces this new chapter, her goal remains clear: to create a communal space that celebrates individuality and fosters connections among vintage lovers.
Source: Noah Wire Services
