Vintage Chic Opens On Main Street

ELLICOTT CITY, MD — A new store has opened on Main Street in Ellicott City. It sells home goods that have a vintage flair.

The business is aptly named Vintage Chic, and it's filled with vintage movie posters, funky housewares, restored furniture, man cave accessories and other items.

The owners of Vintage Chic are veteran Howard County entrepreneurs.

Celeste Gebler and Joe Iacia, the former owners of popular Italian eatery Luna Bella, closed their Columbia restaurant in December 2016 amid redevelopment planning for the Hickory Ridge Village Center, according to the Howard County Times.

Gebler said she was on the porch of her son's new home when she got the idea for her next venture.

"...something in the little local paper caught my eye. It was just a little blurb about an antique store closing and selling off their things," Gebler posted on the Vintage Chic Facebook page. "Honestly, it was then that I said to Joe....'This is what I want to do.' We should open a little place, sell really cool stuff, no stress, just you and me and our dog Fletch! And so it began."

Since then, the couple rummaged estate sales, collected items and refurbished furniture, stocking up on things that they could sell.

Then in mid June, the store opened, in the spot where the old Fisher's Bakery was.

"And YES, we are crazy to be here, a flood zone, but it is PERFECT for what we do," Gebler wrote. "And after all, if we were crazy enough to run a restaurant for 17 years, I think we can handle this. Please stop by and see us, we'll be looking for you!"

County Executive Calvin Ball helped cut the ribbon on the new store on Friday, July 19.

"With our newest addition, Ellicott City continues to grow its reputation as a unique and charming shopping destination," said Ball, who noted this was the 13th new business in downtown Ellicott City to open since he took office in December 2018.

"Main Street is open for business and welcomes visitors from all over the region and beyond," Ball said in a statement. "I encourage everyone to come visit Ellicott City this summer to check out one of our new businesses, like Vintage Chic, or visit an old favorite."

Vintage Chic is at 8141 Main Street, Ellicott City, MD 21043.