Nomad Yard Collectiv, a store for vintage and artisan goods, officially opened Halloween just north of Union Market.
Owner Desiree Venn Frederic says the concept, in the
Union Arts building at 411 New York Avenue NE is a "collaborative retail space." Through Nomad Yard, small businesses that focus on used and vintage goods and that typically sell at flea markets or other pop-ups now have an opportunity for a permanent space, and to display their wares in a more visually appealing way.
Flea markets are "a tricky space to function in," says Venn Frederic, whose background includes stints in retail and in the non-profit sector. "You're limited in what you can do." Nomad Yard will "create...an experience, and also start a conversation around vintage and used goods in D.C." What that conversation is? C'mon, people, buy them. "A lot of vintage stores have been closing as of late. It's very unfortunate, because there is a lot of value with vintage goods."
Venn Frederic and business partner Tara Papanicolas have selected 10 vintage partners (
listed on this website) whose vintage finds--clothing, jewelry, furniture and more--fill the 3,000-square-foot space. She is also working with three local artists:
Aboriginal Substance,
Adrienne Gaither, and
Andrew Cressman whose art adorns the walls so that "folks who may not necessarily find their way to a gallery but want to engage with art" can purchase the works. Finally, local artisans' jewelry, candles and other handmade home goods round out the selection.
Venn Frederic says the current space came about when the building's owner (who operates a printing company on the 4th floor) visited her pop-up vintage shop on 14th Street NW and invited her to come out to Ward 5. "The bones [of the building] are just phenomenal," she says. To that end, Nomad Yard also hosts arts events, like a listening party with a local DJ named DJ Underdog. "That's the environment we want to nurture in the space."
Of course, the space is currently a bit out-of-the way, about 10-15 minutes from the nearest metro at NoMa. But Venn Frederic is not concerned. "It is slightly out of the way, but it is a heavily trafficked area. A good [amount] of our traffic comes from people driving by...they literally make U-turns and park and come right in. The neighborhood is changing day to day, we're right at the beginnings of it. It's exciting for us to see the neighborhood change and also to have something that is about local artists and local business owners coming together."
Nomad Yard is open Tuesday through Sunday, 11a.m.-7 p.m.
This article has been updated to correct the spelling of Desiree Venn Frederic's name. It is Venn Frederic, not Venn Frederick. Elevation DC regrets the error.