By Brittany Bailey, Everyday Akron team member
When I first set foot into Akorn Vintage last year, I knew it was different from any other vintage shop I’ve ever been to. Call me jaded if you want; I walk into any small vintage shop ready for pretentious air and too cool for you vibes.
Akorn IS NOT THAT! To say I was pleasantly surprised by Akorn and have a new standard for vintage shops would be the two understatements of the century!
Visit Akorn Vintage (127 Rhodes Ave, Akron) and you’ll typically be welcomed by Adrian or Jenn, the husband and wife duo behind the shop. You’ll also be welcomed by a fantastic, ever-changing selection of USA-made, high-quality, unique and authentic vintage clothes at fair prices.
As you can probably tell, I’m a not-so-subtle superfan of Akorn Vintage. I always find something that fits me perfectly and learn something about vintage clothing from Adrian. That’s why I decided to do a deeper dive on this local gem and the man behind it for the Everyday Akron community.
I had the pleasure of spending an afternoon with Adrian at Akorn Vintage where I got a behind-the-scenes look and a few vintage thrifting tips to share along the way.
Adrian Sanchez is not new to the vintage game. He tells me he’s been thrifting since he was 15 years old: “The first place I drove to when I got my driver’s license was literally the Salvation Army!”
He spent his early teen years in Chicago, starting out mostly thrifting records and guitars. At 18 and 19, he spent some time living on the West Coast, frequenting the vintage shops in LA — with one major problem. He usually couldn’t afford their prices and would end up buying his clothes from a thrift shop instead of a specialty vintage shop.
This memory brings up his first vintage thrift tip: “Diversify your search and look at places that don’t usually deal in clothes. Don’t be afraid to look in unexpected places.” Starting out and even now he can source items from all over, such as antique shops and flea markets. You never know who may have vintage clothes for sale!
If you’re looking to find authentic vintage clothing out in the world, Adrian’s top piece of advice is simple: start with the tag. Where was it made? What decade is the font screaming? True vintage is about when, where and how it was made, not just the look. If you want authenticity, check those details and do your research.
Also, don’t pay high prices for something just because it looks old — focus on genuine quality. “Remember just because something looks vintage doesn’t mean it is, or that it’s valuable. Fast fashion brands sometimes imitate vintage styles but they don’t have the same history or quality!”
When shopping at a big thrift store like Goodwill or Village Discount Outlet, Adrian says don’t overthink it. Grab everything that looks vintage, then sort out what’s worth keeping. This makes it easier to spot standout items. “I get all the good stuff in front of me, then make sure I get the pick of the litter, the best of the best!”
Akorn Vintage is more than just racks of vintage clothes. It’s a place where carefully curated vintage treasures, a warm and fun atmosphere, passion for quality threads AND expertise to share come together in a way that makes every visit memorable.
Whether you’re searching for a statement piece or just seeing what finds you, Akorn is the kind of place that reminds you why shopping local is always worth it.
When asked why he doesn’t raise his prices, Adrian replied simply, “I’ve always enjoyed the treasure hunt so much that I never want the treasure to be unattainable for others.”
Soon you’ll be able to treat yourself to coffee from the Here We Go Coffee cart right inside Akorn, making it easier than ever to fuel your next treasure hunt. Give Akorn Vintage a visit and see for yourself why this is my favorite shop in town!
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