“I should have been an American History teacher,” Tracey McArdle mused. The owner of Vintage Revival, an antique store and customer favorite in the Coraopolis Business District, is fascinated by the stories behind the merchandise that she sells.
Pictured above: Tracey McArdle, owner of Vintage Revival.
“I just love the different eras,” she said. “People are missing the boat when they buy new retail. Things that have lasted over 100 years will last you another hundred.”
Tracey’s love of antiquing began as a child when she was introduced to it by her father. After more than a decade in the medical field, a friend took her to a flea market and it reignited her childhood passion. Shortly thereafter, she started building her personal collection, which would eventually become the base for her first antique shop, Swoon, which was located on Butler Street in Lawrenceville.
After a four year run and some life changes, Tracey chose to close Swoon and took on a new gig at Off the Avenue Antiques in Coraopolis, working for friend and former owner Jim Barricella. It was during this time that she decided she wanted to lay down some of her own commercial roots in the Coraopolis Business District.
“Lawrenceville was great but it's spread out. It didn’t have the foot traffic that Coraopolis has,” Tracey said. “I had been wanting my own spot here for a long time.”
When Vintage Revival’s original space became available at the corner of Mill Street and 5th Avenue, she jumped on it. Though having previously owned a business, she said taking the leap was still nerve wracking.
“Sometimes you just have to take that chance, jump in with both feet, and hope that the heart and soul you put in is enough to make a go of it,” she said.
With McArdle’s unique touch, Vintage Revival has become a customer favorite in town due to its eclectic mix of antique furniture and furnishings, glassware, candles, and hand-made soaps. She also sells artisan jewelry, including some of her own hand-made vintage assemblage.
Tracey said she feels fortunate to have so much encouragement from her husband, Michael, a Coraopolis native who works in the oil and gas industry. She also credits the feeling of camaraderie that exists among local business owners as being hugely helpful to her.
“[When you’re on your own] You really need a lot of emotional support. We’re all friends, everyone pitches in and helps each other when we need it. And it’s not just the antique shops, it's the other business owners in the area as well,” she said.
According to McArdle, that support was needed even more when the COVID-19 pandemic hit and she took most of her business online.
“I still haven’t bounced back from being closed for 2.5 months. If it wasn’t for Ray [Kinneman of Emma Jean’s Relics] and me doing the Facebook Live sales I would have had to close permanently,” she said.
Though she still worries about the future, she is excited about her recent move and for the things yet to come. Last month, the shop made a move down the street to a space located at 934 5th Avenue, directly beside Patina & Soul, Emma Jean’s Relics, and One Man’s Junk. They call it “Antique Row.”
She also looks forward to holding jewelry-making classes in the new year.
“My new space has a back room that is perfect for a 2-3 hour class once or twice a month,” she said. “Maybe once we’re through the holidays and people are looking for something to do.”
For now, Tracey is enjoying her favorite season by decorating her windows and store vignettes with perfectly curated - and sometimes spooky - fall décor, including “creepy” vintage baby dolls and doll parts.
Loyal customers will know that she is also an animal lover, doting over her rescue bulldogs and pugs, and a die-hard Pittsburgh Steelers fan. She and husband Michael are season ticket holders.
“That’s my happy place. We have a tailgate crew. God, I love it,” she said.
As for Coraopolis, McArdle said she is encouraged by the new businesses opening up and the people that come to town through the Second Saturdays concert series.
“I’d love to see some more retail in town,” she commented. “There’s just so much opportunity here that hasn’t been tapped into yet.”
Vintage Revival is located at 934 5th Avenue in the Coraopolis Business District. Hours of operation are Wednesday-Sunday 11am-4pm, with an extra hour on Saturdays. Find them online at www.shopvintagerevival.com and @VintageRevivalHome on Facebook.
