No Risk, No Reward: Inside Vintage LAB Talks
BY EMMA GEARY - JUNE 26, 2025
If there’s one thing we know for sure, it’s that the thrill of the hunt is alive and well in the Twin Cities' vintage scene.
At our latest LAB Talk, The Perfect Find, we gathered some of the most beloved voices in local vintage fashion and home design for a spirited panel conversation on sourcing, selling, and the enduring joy of secondhand style. Hosted at Glass House and moderated by award-winning photo director and vintage glassware curator Nicole Crowder of GLAS, the panel featured Lilly Ball of Hermine, Kristi Stratton of hunt & gather, and Jahna Peloquin of Rosella Vintage. Together, they shared their journeys into vintage, how they source pieces, what fuels their creativity, and the magic of our Midwestern resale community. And afterward, we took part in some seriously good shopping.
On Sourcing: Where the Story Begins
Sourcing vintage is equal parts art and endurance. For some, it’s the long road trip. For others, it’s the house calls, the market deep-dives, the serendipitous thrift-store finds. “We usually do three big sourcing trips a year,” said Lilly Ball of Hermine, whose downtown Minneapolis boutique is known for its minimalist, natural-fiber garments.
For Jahna Peloquin, who started Rosella Vintage as a side hustle while working full-time, sourcing is a non-stop process. “It used to just be thrifting,” she said. “Now I get house calls, people reach out to me, and I travel the Midwest to find things.” Kristi Stratton of hunt & gather shared her maximalist tendencies, explaining: “I collect everything—from carpet bags to vintage purses—and I travel heavy. It’s hard for me to part with things!”
Personal Taste vs. Shopper Style
Each panelist agreed: while it starts with personal taste, successful curation is about striking a balance between your own aesthetic and what your community will respond to.
“I always say that if I closed tomorrow, I’d be thrilled with the millions of things I have,” Kristi shared, laughing. “I only buy what I like. But merchandising is everything—you need those ‘POW!’ pieces that carry the rest.”
Jahna echoed this evolution: “When I started, I just bought what I liked. But now I think about how to translate my style to other people, creating variety while keeping my vision clear. While I might love a fancy statement dress, I also pair it with a collection of more ready-to-wear pieces to provide an opportunity for more people to explore their style. ”
A Scene with Heart (and a Treasure Trove of Goods)
The conversation turned toward what makes the Twin Cities' vintage scene so special—and it’s more than just the abundance of beautiful old things.
“There’s a deep sense of community here,” said Jahna. “The vendors support each other, the customers are loyal, and it feels really accessible.”
Kristi spoke to the community she’s built over the years at her shop, sharing, “Hunt & gather is kind of like a vintage amusement park now. I’ve got 15-year-olds to 45-year-olds hanging out, blasting music. It becomes contagious—if your friend is shopping vintage, you want to do it too.”
Lilly added that shopping vintage feels like a particularly Midwestern value: “It’s practical, it’s sustainable. We see everyone from tourists to locals who want to shop with intention.”
Nicole echoed our panelists, sharing how, when she moved back home to Minnesota after 16 years in Washington, D.C., she was welcomed into the vintage community with open arms. “There are so many pop-ups and lots of resource sharing. I think that is what encourages people to get even more involved, both as a shopper and a vendor,” she said.
Advice for Aspiring Resellers
For anyone interested in entering the vintage resale world, the advice was clear: start small, grow slowly, and ask for help.
“I wasn’t ready to quit my job right away,” Jahna admitted. “I grew the business gradually—no huge overhead costs at first. You need time to learn what sells and how to run the backend of things.”
Lilly emphasized the importance of support: “I did it alone for over seven years, and it took a toll on my health. Once my husband joined, we grew exponentially. I had to learn to let go a little—and I’ve been pleasantly surprised with how much more enjoyable it makes the process.”
Kristi summed it up with one phrase: “No risk, no reward. I opened hunt & gather with a 9 month-old baby on my hip and another daughter running around the shop. My girls grew up at hunt & gather, playing hide and seek and hosting fashion shows in the aisles. Looking back it was cuckoo, all those things I did—but I had a vision and the support of my husband, and I stuck to it.”
Where They're Headed Next
Looking toward the future, each panelist has their eyes on meaningful growth—whether through collaboration, education, or creating something entirely new.
“I’d love to add a café to our space someday,” said Lilly. “We’re very community-oriented, and I could see us doing workshops or classes around photography or business.”
Jahna shared how, in addition to attending and hosting more vintage events, she dreams of designing her own pieces from secondhand textiles, like tablecloths and vintage fabric. “As a one-person business, collaborating allows me to do more than I could on my own.”
And Kristi? “I just turned 61, and I’m not slowing down. I still love the thrill of the hunt.”
What They Wish More People Knew
We turned our microphone to the audience and opened up the floor for questions. One of the first was, “What is something you wish more of your customers knew about your work?”
The answer? It’s hard work.
“I think people assume we’re just thrift shopping all day and slapping a price tag on something, ” said Jahna. “But there’s so much that goes into cleaning, researching, and pricing each item.”
“There’s a lot of curation that goes unseen,” Lilly added. “It might look glamorous, but it’s a ton of sweat and work.”
Kristi reminded us of the rarity of a quality vintage piece: “It’s very, very hard to find the good stuff. And each year, it gets harder. I tell my girls all the time, this isn’t IKEA—it’s one-of-a-kind.”
Parting Words on Confidence and Community
When asked about navigating business as women in a female-dominated but still unequal industry, Kristi said it best.
“I’ve had no problem going up against men in business,” said Kristi. “Some of my male-owned counterparts in the 90’s thought hunt & gather was just a cutesy fun shop—but their businesses are gone, and I’m still here.”
The room closed with laughter, applause, and—of course—shopping. After the panel, guests browsed a curated mini pop-up market featuring pieces from each panelist, fueled by coffee and connection. Plus, everyone left with a copy of Collective Magazine in hand!
In a world increasingly leaning toward sustainability and style with story, vintage isn't just a trend—it's a movement. And if our panelists have anything to say about it, it’s only getting better from here.
Special thanks to our friends at Glass House who hosted us for a morning of conversation and connection! To learn more about Glass House and host your event in their gorgeous space, click here.
Emma Geary
Emma is the one writing it all down. She's been with LAB since 2021 and is finishing her MFA in Creative Writing in her spare time. Her favorite color right now is cobalt blue.
