Charles Moschos has always loved clothes and calls collecting vintage apparel his “biggest hobby.” With the opening of Ridgefield Vintage & Coffee, 346 Ethan Allen Highway, Moschos is turning his passion into a retail destination. Conveniently located in the same coalition as Bluebird Estate Sales and Vixen Hill Vintage. Moschos hopes that his store will add value to the town and fill a void for those shopping for classic well-made clothes – his store carries brands such as Gucci, Ralph Lauren, and Brooks Brothers. Moschos views his vintage apparel as a direct response to the “fast fashion” trend – clothes that are mass-produced with less overhead so they can be sold for lower prices. “Clothing was once made for functionality. Quality lasts,” he says.
Moschos and his family moved to Ridgefield in 2020 and he initially opened a pop up shop in 2022 in the same space. At that time, his inventory was mainly menswear with only a small offering of women’s clothes. Now a permanent storefront, Ridgefield Vintage & Coffee has a full range of clothes and accessories, all carefully selected to be visually and aesthetically appealing. “I want people to migrate toward what appeals to them, style-wise, not necessarily by size,” says Moschos, noting that sizing can vary dramatically with older pieces. What if someone falls in love with a piece but the fit is wrong? Moschos’ many years in menswear in New York comes in handy. “I can do basic pinning for alterations,” he says. He has paired with My Cleaners, just down Route 7, who will finish the tailoring and return the items back to Ridgefield Vintage. “It really elevates the experience for the customer,” says Moschos.
And what about the “& Coffee”? Moschos admits that in addition to fashion, he has cultivated a keen interest in coffee. He collaborated with Quartertone Roasters – a local father and son team – and created a specialty Ridgefield Vintage blend, a mix of two Columbian beans. His Italian espresso machine is a work of art in and of itself.
Moschos hopes the store will evolve beyond a retail store – he also offers fashion and lifestyle coaching, from business decisions to how to still dress cool as a dad, including a one-on-one personal shopping experience via private appointments.
Ridgefield Vintage & Coffee is currently open Thursday through Sunday from 11:00 – 4:00. Follow them @ridgefieldvintage to keep up on events.
