New vintage clothing store set to open on High Street
Flow State Vintage, a new clothing store on High Street, is set to open Aug. 31. The business is operated by two partners, including one Miami University sophomore.
Fashion enthusiasts will have a new place to shop in Oxford starting this weekend. Flow State Vintage, a store focused on vintage clothing, is set to open Saturday, Aug. 31.
Flow State is located at 37 W. High St. and will open its doors to customers for the first time at 11 a.m.
Caleb Chorley, a Miami University sophomore studying supply chain management, owns the store with his partner Ethan Stewart. Chorley started selling vintage clothing with pop-up sales at sorority suites and fraternity houses last year. When the opportunity to rent a brick and mortar store came up, he jumped, signing a lease in July and getting the keys to the storefront Aug. 1.
“We’ve been working 15 hour days every day,” Chorley said.
The storefront used to be home to Future Great Comics, which closed its Oxford location in January. Chorley said he and Stewart have been working to repaint the walls, add their own fixtures and make the space a better fit for their business.
Flow State sources its clothing from all around Greater Cincinnati. The prices vary depending on the rarity of pieces, Chorley said, but they aim to carry something for everyone. The store carries mens and womens clothing, as well as pieces like crewnecks which work for all people.
Other stores like Goodwill and Thread Up Oxford sell used clothing to the community, but Chorley said Flow State will offer a more curated collection of items.
The new store takes the place of Future Great Comics, which closed its storefront in Oxford this January. Photos by Sean Scott
Chorley said the target demographic for the business is Miami students, but he plans to keep the store operational during J-Term and the summer, as well. Stewart is not currently in college and is able to work full-time, while Chorley is balancing his coursework at Miami with running the business.
“It’s what I like doing, and I just thought it was a great opportunity,” Chorley said. “It does make going to school a lot harder, but I enjoy it, so it’s really not like I’m struggling through work.”
Flow State does not currently have any employees beyond Chorley and Stewart. Depending on how the fall semester goes, Chorley said they may start to hire people in the spring.
The store will be open from 11 a.m. until 8 p.m. on opening day Aug. 31. Chorley and Stewart are working on finalizing regular business hours this week and will post them on the store’s Instagram page, @flowstatevintage.
