Clothes in the Past Lane to revamp look

Sandi Patterson, owner of Clothes in the Past Lane, said when her store opens in its new location in the fall, she wants to decorate the walls with vivid colors that will reflect the ’50s and ’60s style of her clothing.

“The look will have a retro feel to it with bright colors,” Patterson said. “We will also be shortening a lot of our vintage as people have troubles with the length of vintage clothing.”

It is all part of her plan to build a more retail-oriented and wheelchair accessible store that will offer more cocktail dresses and long gowns, Patterson said.

Construction will begin this summer at Clothes in the Past Lane’s new location, 70 E. Main St., where the Newark Newsstand previously stood.

Patterson said after seven years of offering a selection of new and retro clothes, at the current location of 56 E. Main St., she decided to relocate because she is unsure of her landlord’s plans for the building in the future.

At the new location, Patterson said she not only plans to offer alterations to the clothes at a minimal price, but to partner with the hair and makeup salon Gloss as well. The store will also feature a blow dry bar—a new beauty salon concept popular in New York and Los Angeles, according to Bethany Malloy, 35, owner of Gloss salon on Main Street. Blow dry bars offer makeup and blow dries but does not any shampoos or haircuts, Malloy said and Gloss will remain open with these services.

“This concept is very popular in big cities,” Malloy said. “Why not downtown Newark as well? The city has huge fashion, great restaurants and this is another idea to bring to downtown Newark.”

Malloy said the blow dry bar’s services will cost a moderate price that can fit students’ budgets. The store will also sell some Bumble and Bumble hair care products and Bare Escentuals makeup.

Senior Ellen Del Collo said she thinks the concept of a blow dry bar is interesting and she would try it if she had an occasion where she needed to have her hair styled.

“I don’t think the location change really makes a difference.” Delcollo said. “Students who used to shop there will continue to shop there, and the dry bar will attract new customers.”

Senior Katie Galgano said she is also interested in the concept of a blow dry bar and she will check it out when it will open.

But according to Galgano, that won’t be the only thing drawing in customers. People have a desire for vintage and retro clothing so the store’s new look could attract more customers, she said.

“I don’t know if it’s because of ‘Mad Men’ on TV, but the ’50s and ’60s have been reflected a lot,” Galgano said. “So if this trend continues it will be interesting to see how it will affect the store.”