Sandra Sharp
Sandra Sharp has been a collector of clothes through the decades, selling her finds online via Etsy for many years.
Regularly rooting through staple and statement pieces of the 1960s, ’70s and ’80s at estate sales and flea markets, she has had trouble choosing a favorite time or style—handpicking a little bit of everything from bold patterns to classic cuts to frilly details.
“It’s the thrill of the find,” she said.
Now, she’s sharing her eclectic finds with brick-and-mortar shoppers, recently opening DaisyAge, a modern-meets-vintage boutique in downtown Camp Hill.
Dabbling with vintage flea markets when she lived in San Diego, Sharp realized that digital browsing and buying wasn’t the end goal. It lacked the human-to-human elements of discovery and connection—the “eureka” moment, the gleeful glow when a shopper tries something on and can’t imagine walking away without it.
A little more than five years ago, Sharp retired from a career in graphic design and relocated from California to be closer to family, wryly admitting that she lugged with her significantly more clothes than furniture. With newfound time on her hands, she sought and found an open storefront, formerly an antiques store, where her aspirations and assemblage of unique textiles would have the space to grow beyond the digital realm.
“Based upon my interests early in life, I could have gone in the direction of fashion or graphic design, and I went with graphic design, but I always had fashion in my heart,” she said. “So, it’s nice to be able to come back to it and the ‘one-day’ ideas that I’ve carried with me over the years.”
Sharp credits her affinity for well-made garments to what she refers to as her “hobby from a past life,” sewing, which she’s been resurrecting recently. In fact, she’s often found working on a sewing project as customers browse—most recently, pillows.
“I just love the old clothes—the way they’re made, the styles, the fabrics,” Sharp said. “That kind of quality and attention to detail is lacking in many of today’s clothes.”
At DaisyAge, vintage wool garments, silks, genuine leather, velvet and other materials that have stood the test of time fill the shop’s racks with texture and color. Many of these pieces are also made by high-end designers such as Armani and Valentino.
“DaisyAge isn’t a vintage store full of natty items overlooked from decades past,” said Gail Coleman, a local artist and customer. “When you step inside and look around, it’s hard to believe that the items are well-loved and aren’t new, as everything is in excellent, like-new condition.”
Victoria Revene, owner of Refresh by Revene, plans to frequent DaisyAge for interesting clothing and accessories for her clients, helping them reach their home, wardrobe and life aspirations.
“The new owner has brought an inviting freshness to the beautifully renewed interior, breathing new life into an old space,” she said.
Beyond clothes, DaisyAge features jewelry, candles, hats and other one-of-a-kind items for sale, handmade by local artisans and creators across the country. Always in search of something new, Sharp plans to continue fostering connections with customers, fellow small businesses and other lovers and creators of well-made things—bringing community together to enjoy the new, the old and the company of one another.
“I’ve met so many interesting people in the short time since DaisyAge opened,” Sharp said. “Customers come in and chat with me while they shop, and I not only get to tell them about the pieces they’re interested in, but I get to learn about them and their life stories too. I’m loving every minute of it.”
DaisyAge is located at 2136 Market St., Camp Hill. For more information, visit www.shopdaisyage.com.
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