Karen Maravilla’s new store, It’s Just Serendipity, aims to breathe life into downtown Hammond by offering a unique blend of antiques and vintage items.
In an effort to revitalize downtown Hammond, Karen Maravilla has opened a vintage and antique store named It’s Just Serendipity, located at 5630 Hohman Avenue. This initiative comes as a response to the decline of shopping and entertainment in the area, which Maravilla fondly remembers from her childhood visits to department stores like Goldblatt’s and Minas, as well as classic movie theaters such as the Paramount and Parthenon.
Speaking about her motivation, Maravilla highlighted her desire to make a difference in the community. “I’m trying to make a difference and revitalize the downtown district,” she said. Her partner, Raymundo Garcia, owns El Salto Mexican Restaurant down the street, reflecting their shared nostalgia for a bustling downtown atmosphere. “When both of us grew up, downtown Hammond was the place to be for entertainment and shopping,” she added, emphasizing the vibrant history the area once enjoyed.
The store specializes in antiques, vintage finds, and repurposed goods, including items salvaged from various locations—old hardware stores, schools, and buildings that have been demolished. Maravilla explained that many of the products come from people looking to downsize or from families seeking new homes for their loved ones’ belongings after a death. “People walk in and say, ‘wow.’ They’re not expecting the store to be the way it is,” she noted, highlighting the unique and varied inventory that fills her store.
Customers will find a diverse assortment of goods organized by category, including clothing, kitchen items, and toys. Certain sections are thematically arranged, featuring items related to topics such as space and astronauts. Maravilla has designed the store to be visually appealing, regularly updating displays and maintaining a clean environment to engage customers. She mentioned that the store offers a notable shopping experience, commenting, “Blood, sweat and tears went into this place. It’s filled with things that are a blast from the past. It’s constantly changing.”
It’s Just Serendipity is not only open for general browsing but also accommodates private shopping events and parties. Maravilla offers customized gift baskets tailored to specific interests, such as items for fishing enthusiasts or car lovers. Her inventory is ever-changing, with a focus on sustainable and vintage clothing that reflects popular styles from the 50s through the 80s.
Seasonal decor boosts foot traffic, particularly during Halloween and Christmas, though the past holiday season saw a dip in business until a social influencer from Chicago brought attention to the store through social media engagement. “The business is generally brisk from fall through spring. It really slows down in the summer,” Maravilla explained, attributing the decline to people’s preference for outdoor activities during the warmer months.
Maravilla finds joy in helping customers rediscover items from their past, elaborating on the emotional connections these objects evoke. “We have little toys I had as a kid, toys that were under the Christmas tree. It makes you smile,” she stated.
In addition to operating her business, Maravilla actively promotes other local enterprises through her involvement with the Downtown Hammond Council, advocating for the importance of shopping downtown. “People shopping downtown is the only thing keeping downtown alive,” she said. Her commitment to the community is further underscored by her concerns over the closure of other small businesses in the area. “At least eight businesses like mine have closed in Northwest Indiana. That’s really unsettling and sad,” she mentioned, expressing her support for fellow retailers.
Maravilla is particularly saddened by the closing of Hammond Salvage and Resale, which she admits offered a wide variety of items. “It’s heartbreaking to see it close. It affects all of us,” she reflected.
It’s Just Serendipity represents not only a personal ambition for Maravilla but also a concerted effort to revive the spirit of downtown Hammond, creating a space where the past can be celebrated and community ties can be fostered.
Source: Noah Wire Services
