The interior of Packed House displaying unique items, from clothing to decor.
Packed House|Courtesy
A thrifter’s and an antique collector’s dream, Packed House, located at 915 W 21st St. in Norfolk, brings a classy, vintage feel to life as soon as you walk in the door.
As you walk in the store, the old box TV’s and vinyl record playing in the background lays the groundwork for the atmosphere which is enhanced by the endless amount of 20th century merchandise that lines the shelves.
The welcoming attitudes of employees and customers alike add to the incredible aura of Packed House, making it a must stop for anyone who rocks the ‘90s style or collects classic albums.
The idea of opening a vintage clothing store was only able to become a reality after years of collecting a “hilarious amount,” of antique articles, co-owner Morgan Tomosovich said. He continued on to say, “We joked about what it would be like to own a shop, a joke that quickly turned into ‘maybe we should do this,’” this led to them stumbling upon an open property and spontaneously opening up shop.
When opening the shop, there was a clear goal in mind for the future of Packed House: “a home base where we could rehome and display items that we find interesting, weird or cool,” other co-owner Nick Rayfield said.
The freedom to put anything onto the shelves and have it meet a targeted audience is the driving factor behind the community established by Packed House. The inviting and accepting community allows for anyone who walks in to find something unique that fits their interests.
“All we do is put stuff in the shop that we like. We don’t work to sell things that we don’t care about,” Tomosovich said. Through tender care and consideration of their product, Packed House caters to those that are into the vintage style or just looking for something new.
This again showcases the strong sense of community treasured and celebrated by the employees and customers of Packed House. “If you claim to be a business built around the community, but the community has nothing to do with it, is it really built around the community?” Tomosovich said.
An interesting selection of knickknacks and old films.
Matthew Smith |Marlin Chronicle
Occasionally, and especially around holidays, Packed House hosts community events both to promote the business but also to bring together the community built around it. “We’ve held vintage markets, indoor & outdoor concerts, poetry/game nights; all sorts of stuff,” Rayfield said.
These events do more than just bring people together and promote the business as they also give opportunities to local artists and performers to promote their brand in a safe space. Packed House has an event coming up this month, The October Market, where they will be hosting more than twenty vendors on Sunday, Oct. 20, from 11:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. at the store front.
Although the community is a big part of what makes Packed House special, their stock is the truly unique and exciting aspect of the business.
“It’s crazy that they even own this stuff, let alone sell it,” Virginia Wesleyan University sophomore Nate Bryant said after walking in. The vast selection of vintage apparel and memorabilia is evident the moment you step in the door and each shelf grabs the customers attention.
“It isn’t really my style but I can see why people are into stuff like this, I’m having a hard time not buying anything,” freshman James Tassone said.
Packed House has found good success and reputation through creating a culture to be proud of and a unique product. The owners have stuck to their morals and created the environment they had always dreamed of through hard work and patience.
“Opening a brick and mortar is a lot more than just playing house,” Rayfield said. “Your first day opening is such a vulnerable time to show this new thing you’ve created so hopefully you made it what you wanted it to be.”
“Whether you’ve just popped in to see what the shop is about, come to an event or shopped around; we are truly grateful,” Tomosovich said, while expressing his gratitude for his customers. Packed House’s welcoming atmosphere provides a homey feeling for all who stop in, so be sure to check it out if you’re in the area.
Packed House is open Wednesday through Sunday from noon until 5:00 p.m., 6:00 p.m. or 7:00 p.m. depending on the day and hosts events on occasion. If you’re interested in something new or already a fan of vintage “stuff,” it’s a must stop no matter what.
By Matthew Smith