Co-owner of Collective Vintage
27 Years Old • Fort Collins
Tell us about yourself, your history and how you came to be where you are now.
I am a native of Fort Collins, where my love for vintage and secondhand items was given to me by my mother. Perusing the racks of thrift stores is something we’ve done together my whole life. While attending Colorado State University, I began selling online and at markets. In January 2023, I met Josh Dollgener through the Fort Collins Vintage Market he organizes, and we became fast friends. By October 2023, we opened our first brick and mortar. We quickly outgrew our original space, which led us to open our current location with the bar in September 2024 alongside my partner, Dryden Alberts.
Explain your career, achievements and professional highlights.
Owning a vintage store has been a dream of mine for almost a decade. To see it come to fruition and grow so quickly in just over a year and a half has been a dream come true. We went from a little shop tucked in a corner to our current location that’s nearly four times the size. In the last eight months, it has gone from just me working nearly every day to a team of six, and as of January 2025, we were also able to give ownership to all of our employees.
In what ways do you give back to the community?
Apart from encouraging cyclical fashion and waste reduction, a huge goal for Collective Vintage is to create a safe and welcoming third space. We strive to live up to our name and foster collectiveness in our community. We’ve done that by organizing and hosting countless events, including fundraisers, markets and shows, and providing space for clubs, art groups and musicians to gather. We’ve also donated more than 400 pounds of clothing to local organizations like Clothe The People. We may be under the guise of a clothing store and bar, but our mission is so much bigger than that.
What do you consider your biggest accomplishment or challenge you’ve overcome, either professionally or personally?
Being a young autistic woman navigating a predominantly allistic world has been a huge hurdle for me, especially in a forward-facing industry. Learning to effectively communicate and connect with others, both through customer service and managerial roles, has been a challenge that I continue to work through. I’ve found that being vulnerable with who I am and how my brain works has been my greatest help in bridging this gap.
Tell us something unique about you.
I lived in the Netherlands for four years. Between the ages of 15 and 19, I completed high school abroad. That’s where my love for textiles began: I was inspired by the history and fashion I saw around me every day.
Where do you see yourself in five years? In 10 years?
Especially in the last few years, I’ve stopped focusing so much on timelines and more on the day to day. I’ve found that working hard for what feels right in the now leads to the best outcomes—some expected, some not. One thing I know for sure is that the future will hold even more space for community and outreach.
What piece(s) of advice would you give to your younger self?
Trust your gut. Don’t be afraid to move confidently and show leadership. Imposter syndrome is something that takes time to work through. The more you put yourself out there, the more natural it will feel. Confidence is a skill that can be learned through continuous practice.
Who are your business partners, and how did you all come up with the thrift store/bar concept?
My business partners are Dryden, Josh, Bailey, Marc and Felix, but originally it was just me and Josh. However, my partner, Dryden, has had a pivotal role since the shop’s inception, so when the opportunity arose to grow the business, he joined the effort to support our dreams. Josh, Dryden and I created the store/bar concept through our desire to make Collective Vintage not just a destination to shop but one that fostered community. It has always been important to us to facilitate a collaborative atmosphere, not only in the shop but for our employees. The way we see it, we all have strengths to bring to the table to make Collective Vintage as great as it can possibly be, and everyone should be recognized and celebrated for that.
Why do you love vintage clothing and collectibles?
I love all things vintage because they exude character. Each piece has its own uniqueness, not just by standing the test of time but also through its design. It’s cliché to say, but they truly don’t make things like they used to. The quality, thought and care that went into making a product simply doesn’t happen now. It’s also incredibly rewarding to watch someone get really excited about finding a one-of-a-kind piece they love. It’s honestly one of the best parts of my job. It feels like passing on a legacy.
Local business shoutout:
I’d love to give a shoutout to The Hot Sauce Realm. They are locally owned by the lovely Ashley and Errin Ruffer. They have such a unique concept, offering any kind of hot sauce you could hope for, along with records and vintage items. It’s such a fun place that is run by great people who are committed to connecting with the local community.
