Black Cat Vintage opens in Bellmore selling retro finds
Shiree D’Alessandro, center, with daughters Charlotte, left, and Angelique at their Bellmore women’s boutique, Black Cat Vintage. Credit: Madison Wheat
When the mother-and-daughter owners of Black Cat Vintage brainstormed a name for their Bellmore women's boutique, feisty feline independence resonated with them.
"We capture that spirit. Our clothes are feminine but edgy," says Shiree D'Alessandro, who runs the shop with her daughters Angelique and Charlotte. "A lot of people really appreciate that."
The store opened in July and specializes in retro fashions from the 1950s to the 2000s, accessories and media ("Princess Diaries" DVD, anyone?). Popular brands include Juicy Couture, Betsey Johnson, Gunne Sax, Wet Seal and Coach.
Merchandise includes tops, dresses, sweaters, camisoles and tracksuits. Miniskirts ($16-$34), low-waisted boot-cut jeans ($18-$63) and handbags ($35 and up) are among the bestsellers.
"My mother gave me a love of vintage shopping and antique shopping when I was a very small child," says Shiree, 61. "I passed that love down to my daughters."
Black Cat Vintage marks the trio’s second retail venture in the same retail space. They ran Third Wave, which carried trendy apparel, from 2019 to 2022. They source the refocused boutique through garage and estate sales as well as markets, both on Long Island and in Brimfield, Massachusetts.
The Merrick-based D'Alessandros observed that vintage clothes are having a major moment. One key reason is the interest in sustainability, says Angelique, 28, who taught at a high school the last two years in Manhattan.
"We are really focused on lowering the environmental impact of the fashion industry," says Angelique, 28. "I teach social studies and each piece has its own history. It’s a beautiful way to learn about history through fashion."
Charlotte, 24, who graduated from Fashion Institute of Technology in Manhattan, appreciates that the store purrs on girl power. "We are three women working together," she says. "That’s definitely a big part of our story and our energy."
A party vibe was in the air during the store’s grand opening, which featured hair tinseling, temporary tattoos and dirty sodas. They’ll announce upcoming in-store specials and events on @blackcatvintageli.
"The idea is that we are more than a store," Angelique says. "We’re building a community."
Black Cat Vintage, 2714 Grand Ave., Bellmore, 516-384-0621, Instagram: @blackcatvintageli
