'Piece Of My Past': A Reunion 45 Years In The Making At Vintage Store

HIGHLAND PARK, IL — For months, customers at K-Solo Vintage in Highland Park have wondered about the life of a girl named Stacy.

One child-size bomber-style Northbrook Competitive Figure Skating Team jacket with the name Stacy embroidered on the front, as well as a prom charm and a photo, were all customers had to go off of to characterize the store's unofficial mascot, owner Taryn Fisher said.

“We’ve had this child-size, bomber-style skating jacket for several months” Fisher said. “It’s become a customer favorite and often provokes fantastical conversations about the life of its owner, Stacy."

Until one day, a friend of Stacy's walked into K-Solo Vintage and recognized the jacket.

Marissa Prosansky, a Northbrook Park District "Icette Alumni," told shop owners that she was gearing up to perform at the Mothers Day Northbrook-On-Ice show with none other than the myth herself, Stacy Karel.

Fisher immediately arranged for Karel to be reunited with her famed jacket.

“It feels awesome to uncover this piece of my past,” Karel said. “It really puts me in touch with my 11-year-old self and reminds me how much skating meant and still means to me.”

Karel currently lives in Chicago, but has performed in the alumni number of Northbrook-On-Ice every few years, and will perform again this year at the 55th annual show. The show will run from May 9 to 11 and tickets cost $14 for general admission and $16 for preferred seating.

To book a ticket for a show, visit the Northbrook-On-Ice webpage.

K-Solo sources vintage pieces from local estate sales and around the country. Since its opening in November 2024, the shop has offered customers an array of vinyl records, music classes for children and live performances from local musicians.

“It’s really meaningful when we can reunite a person with a memento from their history," Fisher said.