Good Morning, Fitchrona!

It’s secondhand wardrobe week. We did a deep dive into the treasure trove of secondhand and vintage shopping in our area—and wow, did we find some gems.

The Focus will be the highlight of your Monday morning - something you can enjoy in under 5 minutes with your coffee!

Let’s fill our cups ☕!

-Liv - Fitchrona Focus Founder

LOCAL LOWDOWN

Shop Local, Look Unique, Love the Planet

Whether you're hunting for a one-of-a-kind jacket, a funky retro bag, or just want to add more sustainable pieces to your wardrobe, we've rounded up the best nearby spots that’ll have you shopping with purpose and style.

But it’s more than just cool clothes—it’s a climate-conscious choice.

♻️ Your closet can fight climate change. Shopping secondhand isn’t just easy on your wallet—it’s a BIG win for the planet too:

• A single t-shirt = 2,700 liters of water to produce

• Extending a garment’s life by 9 months cuts its footprint by up to 30%

• A truckload of textiles is landfilled or burned every second

• The fashion industry accounts for up to 10% of global carbon emissions

So skip the fast fashion haul and check out some of our favorite local secondhand spots. Your future favorite outfit—and the planet—will thank you.

Here are our favorite three secondhand stores: Atomic Antiques, Silver Rose Vintage & Arbor House

Atomic Antiques

With over 25,000 square feet and 100+ vendors, Atomic Antiques is a treasure trove of top-quality vintage and antique furniture, decor, clothing, records, and more.

Inspired by the bold, futuristic styles of the Atomic and Space Ages—think starbursts, rocket motifs, and mid-century charm—the shop brings these iconic eras to life. After the closure of Odana Antiques, longtime collectors Jennifer and Bob Richardson opened Atomic Antiques at 4546 Verona Road in 2022. Jennifer, a former Odana dealer, now leads customer service and design, while Bob, a retired sheriff’s deputy, restores furniture and keeps the place running smoothly.

Inside, each vendor space is styled like a mini living room, filled with hand-picked pieces that span from Victorian to Mid-Century Modern. Most items predate 1975, and new finds arrive regularly.

Since opening, Atomic Antiques has quickly become a go-to for vintage lovers, with artwork and rugs flying off the shelves. Whether you're on the hunt for a statement piece or just want to stroll down memory lane, this local gem is well worth a visit.

Silver Rose Vintage

Tucked into the quiet charm of Bay Creek, Silver Rose Vintage is a new secondhand shop with serious style. Owner Elissa Blaeser brings a personal touch to every piece, curating home décor and clothing that’s as unique as it is timeless.

From military jackets to silk robes, each rack tells a story—and the cozy shop feels more like a cool friend’s living room than a store. “They don’t make things like they used to,” says Blaeser, who’s been vintage treasure hunting with her family for years.

See the full article here.

Arbor House

Opened in October 2024, Arbor House is the newest gem in our local vintage scene. With 13 years of experience in the Midwest vintage community, the founder of @whitelightmercantile pulled together a dream team of like-minded vintage lovers to bring this vision to life.

Each member of the collective brings their own unique spin on vintage, but they all share one core value: a deep appreciation for well-made, high-quality goods from the past. As they say—they just don’t make ’em like they used to!

Whether you’re hunting for your next forever piece or just love the charm of the old and well-loved, here are the vintage curators you’ll find under the Arbor House roof @sagittariansisterscollective, @bonafide_goods, @acre_vintage, @driftlessartifacts, @ramblin_folk, lovestyledesigns, @whitelightmercantile.

Café Domestique Is Heading West!

Madison’s premier cycling cafe @cafedomestiquemadison is pedaling into new territory this April, opening a third location just off Regent Street in the former Heights Kitchen space (11 N. Allen St.).

Owner Dan Coppola is teaming up with sommelier MJ Hecox to share the space with GlouGlou, a natural wine pop-up that will now become a more permanent evening bistro with global small plates and easy-drinking wines.

Intended to open mid- April, the new Café Domestique will serve grab-and-go lattes and feature guest roasters, open Wed–Fri 7 AM–3 PM and weekends 8 AM–3 PM. Then, starting at 4 PM, the space transforms into GlouGlou, open Wed–Sat until 9 PM, offering curated natural wines paired with local food carts and chefs.

Coppola says he's excited to bring those beloved “east side vibes” to the near west side. And with easy bike access, it's shaping up to be your new go-to for both caffeine and cabernet.

Seeds of Community at the 4th Annual Swap

Second hand doesn’t just have to be about your wardrobe, it can be about seeds too! This past weekend the 4th Annual Seed Swap sprouted something special, drawing over 80 gardeners—from green-thumbed pros to curious first-timers. Guests came to exchange seeds, swap stories, and dig into helpful planting tips in a fun, welcoming environment.

The event was part of the Driftless Seed Project, a collaboration between the Mount Horeb Area Historical Society, Back Home Farm, the Mount Horeb Area Community Garden, and Naturalist Catherine Young. Their mission? To connect people through the shared roots of sustainable agriculture and cultural heritage in the Driftless region.

Generous seed donations from A.P. Whaley, Back Home Farm, and Jada’s Garden & Greenhouse (Blue Mounds) helped fill tables with exciting varieties. Attendees were encouraged to bring small, well-marked packets of veggie, herb, or native seeds—and more than a few heartwarming seed stories. But even those who came empty-handed went home with seeds and inspiration.

Missed the event? Don’t worry—leftover seeds are now available at the Driftless Seed Library, a free community resource inside the Driftless Historium (100 S 2nd Street). Stop by during museum hours, Friday–Tuesday, 10 AM – 4 PM, and start your own garden story.

For more details, contact the Mount Horeb Area Historical Society at [email protected] or call 608-437-6486.

HAPPENINGS

🗓️ - Check out FitchronaFocus.com for details & to see all events!

• Monday, March 24th

  • 👶 - Spring Break Childcare @ Lussier Family Heritage Center

• Tuesday, March 25th

  • 🌱 - Seed Packing @ Madison Public Libraries

  • 👴 - 10am - Surviving vs. Living with Parkinson’s - APDA @ Fitchburg Senior Center

  • 🍾 - 4:30pm - Midnight - Break-Even Bottle Night (At Cost Pours ‘till the Bottle’s Gone)- Heaven Hill Grain Wheated Bourbon @ Greenbush Bar 

  • 🌿 - 4:30 - Air Plants: Living Ornament Workshop

  • 🎉 - 7pm - Trivia - America’s Pub Quiz @ Hop Haus Fitchburg

• Wednesday, March 26th

  • 🌾 - 5:30pm - TEAMs: Training & Education for Aspiring Managers — Recognizing & Addressing Conflict @ UW Extension & Fairshare CSA Coalition

  • 🧑‍🍳 - 6pm - Chef Cassie Piuma of Sarma (Frost To Flower Dinner Series) @ Seven Acres

  • 🎨 - 6pm - Resin Pour Wood Tray @ Bad Art Co.

  • 🎉 - 7pm - Trivia @ Paddy Mac’s

  • 🎙️ - 7:05pm - Live Music: Rich Uncle Willie @ Paddy Mac’s

• Thursday, March 27th

  • 🧑‍🍳 - 5pm - Chef Cassie Piuma of Sarma (Frost To Flower Dinner Series) @ Seven Acres

  • 🌽 - 6pm - Intro To Indigenous Agronomy - Scaling Indigenous Corn Production: From Mounds to Combines @ Virtual

  • 📖+ 🍷 - 6pm - Books ‘n Booze Book Club put on by the Verona Library @ Stone Porch Alehouse

  • 🎉 - 6:30pm Trivia - America’s Pub Quiz @ Hop Haus Verona

  • 🎨 - 7pm - Watercolor Lanterns @ Verona Public Library

  • 7pm - Queer (and Ally) Crafting Night @ Sow’s Ear

• Friday, March 28th

  • 🎙️ - Live Music: David Mazzie @ Lake Louie Brewing

  • 🧐 - 5:30pm - Murder Mystery By Upstage Productions @ Cambridge Winery

  • 🎙️ - 7pm - Live Music: The Mark Croft Band @ Seminole Tap

• Saturday, March 29th

  • 🍫 - 9am-3pm - Free Chocolate Samples (Free) @ Yahara Chocolate & Tea

  • 🎙️ - 1pm - Live Music: Shekinah @ Lake Louie Brewing

  • 🎙️ - 1pm - Live Music: Mark Croft @ Bailey’s Run

  • 🎙️ - 7pm - Live Music: Merl & a Gurl @ Paddy Mac’s

  • 🎙️ - 9pm - Karaoke Night! @Thirsty Goat

• Sunday, March 30th

  • 🔈- 4:30pm - Nature Sound Immersion: A Journey of Harmony @ Cave of the Mounds

MAKER FEATURE

This week’s maker feature is Lula Miller of Whole-Hearted Apothecary.

I’m Lula Miller, a Master Herbalist and the owner of Whole-Hearted Apothecary LLC. I’m passionate about helping people discover simple, practical ways to support their well-being. With over a decade of experience in folk herbalism and a B.S. from Kansas State University, I specialize in holistic wellness, sustainability, and handcrafted botanical products. Many of the herbs I use in my teas, tinctures, and salves are ones I personally cultivate, focusing on regenerative practices and small-batch quality. Through workshops, community events, and online content, I share how herbalism can be an accessible and empowering part of daily life.

Whole-Hearted Apothecary started with my own health journey. I was struggling with an undiagnosed condition and turned to herbs for support. Not only did they help me feel better, but they also gave me the confidence to advocate for myself in medical settings. Over time, I developed teas and salves that I first sold at the Middleton Greenway Station Farmer’s Market. I completed local training, earning a Master Herbalist certification, and worked as both the Master Gardener and Teaching Assistant at Wildwood Institute in Verona.

Upcoming Events: 
• May 6 – Self-Empowerment through Herbalism – 6:00 pm, Brodhead Memorial Public Library (Free)
• May 7 – Self-Empowerment through Herbalism – 6:00 pm, Monticello Public Library (Free)

Follow me on Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram for updates, @whole_heartedapothecary

Please note that my products are not FDA-approved to prevent, treat, or cure any health condition.

Know a local maker who should be featured - submit here!

CHECK IT OUT

This week’s business to check out is Wollets, LLC.

Want a greener garden and a greener planet? Two local women, Karen Mayhew and Elaine Becker, created Woollets—100% wool pellets that help your plants thrive while cutting your carbon footprint.

Awarded the 2024 Wisconsin Innovation Award, Woollets are made from Wisconsin wool that would otherwise go to waste. Just sprinkle into your soil to:

• Retain moisture (cut watering by 25%)

• Slowly feed plants (NPK 9-0-2)

• Build healthy soil, naturally

• Deter pests like slugs and deer

• Fully biodegrade in under a year

Organic-friendly, plastic-free, and great for everything from cacti to zucchinis.

📍 Find Woollets at all Jung’s Garden Centers and Premier Co-Op in Mt. Horeb.
Learn more: www.Woollets.net, For bulk orders: [email protected]

Woollets: For your beautiful plants and our beautiful planet.

NEIGHBORHOOD DEAL

This week’s Neighborhood Deal is from VIDA Aesthetics. Take 10% off AlphaRet Body.

THANK YOU!

Thank you for reading! Now go be a good friend and share this with someone who needs to know where the best secondhand finds are hiding!

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