Every year, the vintage scene in Hudson County gets new additions to the world of second-hand and pre-loved clothing and accessories. With new creatives entering the scene left and right, having a home-base to showcase their findings is always a treat for the community. One could spend hours sifting through vintage stores in the Hoboken and Jersey City area, with new additions popping up all the time — including spots like 301 Collective and Cranky Angel, which opened in Jersey City earlier this year. Most recently, in May of 2024, a brand new vintage gem called Phantasm set up shop in Downtown Jersey City at 379 Monmouth Street, creating a unique collective space for vintage lovers and vendors to thrive and express themselves. Read on for more about Phantasm, downtown Jersey City’s newest vintage spot.
How It Started
Phantasm is the brainchild of two Jersey City residents, Alessandra Canario and Marco Vidal. The couple began dating during the pandemic and soon became business partners in their new vintage endeavor, fusing their passions together.
You may know Alessandra from her presence in the Jersey City vintage scene for many years prior; before opening Phantasm with Marco, she had a brick-and-mortar store in Hoboken called Ally Bird Vintage, which is now fused into the workings of Phantasm.
Read More: A Guide to Vintage + Thrift Stores in Hudson County
Alessandra and Marco’s innovative idea to tap into this gap in the market opened a door to make their vision a reality. Now, aside from Phantasm, Alessandra also works out of her private “industry exclusive” studio in Jersey City Heights by appointment only.
Marco’s journey through the vintage world reaches beyond just clothing, adding an extra layer to the Phantasm collective scene. As a longtime DJ, Marco’s ties to music shine through the second you enter the store. With a turntable and a wall full of records, Marco’s vinyl collection is a combination of vintage and current sounds. Marco got into vintage as a teenager, where he unlocked his niche. His fascination with music, pop culture, film, and TV sparked his highly recognizable nostalgic flare that he brings to his brand Promotional Use Only — which features tons of iconic vintage graphic tees, and hats, among other things. Marco told The Hoboken Girl“I love sharing things from the past that should be celebrated.” Something about music and fashion complement each other so well. Now, Marco helps lead monthly live music events and DJ sets at Phantasm.
When we asked Alessandra and Marco what made Phantasm special, the pair said, “It being the brainchild between the two of us is definitely the best thing. It’s better doing it together.”
The goal was to create a store with a clear aesthetic, a good atmosphere, and incorporating a musical element, which is a unique spin. “A lot of stores go for a minimal look but we wanted to fill the space with soul and create a warm living room space where people would want to hang out.”
The space is filled with colorful finds, fascinating textures, tons of repurposed fixtures, and vintage furniture, capturing a mixture of disco and art-deco — telling a story within its walls.
What To Expect
Phantasm is more than just a vintage store, it’s a collective, or as the owners like to call it, a “vintage clothing co-op,” which means that Phantasm collaborates with several vintage vendors, catering to a wide range of demographics, to bring customers some of the most unique finds in Jersey City.
Some of the current vendors are: Tea Street Vintage, Porch Finds, Breath of The Earth Vintage, Minds Eye Vintage, D & B Archive, BabaBoogs Candles, Helen the Brand, and of course Alessandra and Marco’s brands, Ally Bird Vintage and Promotional Use Only.
Marco told The Hoboken Girl, “It feels great to be part of the community and work with other shops in the area. We have seen such a large age range of customers come in here, even teens! It’s cool to reach more people. Our customers are very respectful and have great music taste!”
See More: Thrift Stores + Consignment Shops to Visit in Northern NJ
Visiting The Store
Phantasm is open Wednesday through Saturday from 12PM to 7PM, and Sundays from 11AM to 6PM. Follow @phantasm.nj and its vendors on Instagram for updates, new merchandise, and event announcements.
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