MANHATTAN, NY – Second-hand vintage clothes deserve a second-chance— not to simply be recycled, but crafted and styled– that’s the mission at the Upper East Side’s newest boutique, which opened Friday in Yorkville. Understanding the untapped market for curated thrift finds, social media guru and influencer, Nichole Sesti launched her passion project, The Niche Shop.
While nestled into the heart of the Upper East Side, with several neighboring boutique shops and consignment stores on East 81st Street between First and Second Avenues, The Niche Shop serves as its own entity.
“One thing I think we severely are lacking is cute places to shop and even more specific cute and affordable vintage and secondhand stores,” Sesti told Upper East Site this week.
“I feel very fortunate to be the ones who can bring this need to the neighborhood,” added the popular influencer with more than 12,000 followers on Instagram.
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Unlike a consignment store, where you’re relying on bartering or dropping high-dollars on designer brands, Nichole focuses on filling The Niche Shop with pieces she loves. Her objective with is to have extremely curated pieces that are wearable, high-quality, and could serve a trending or capsule wardrobe.
Even as you walk by the shop, you’ll come across two mannequins wearing vibrant and fun pieces that could only be matched together by the eye of a real stylist.
In the center of the store is the focal piece– a carefully designed backlit mirror with a purple glow framed with an intricate black and white pattern.
Though, the true essence behind The Niche Shop, is shop owner Nichole.
Known as @NYCNichole to thousands of followers on social media, her ability to see a collection of items and turn it into an entire look is an art form.
With her skills on display for shopping for and styling clothing sustainably, economically, and not to mention on-trend, Nichole started selling thrifted and vintage finds online, at pop-up shops, and at boutiques partnering with local vendors– then turned her attention to her own brick-and-mortar store.
Nichole is beyond excited to open her doors on the Upper East Side, a place she calls her home. After selecting the storefront, together with her husband, the two started building and creating an intimate and cozy shop where everyone else can feel at home too.
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“I definitely could not have done it without my amazing business and life partner, Nick, my best friend and sister, my mom and so many other close friends and family,” Nichole said.
“I’m so proud of what we built this far, and with the Upper East Side community, I’m excited to see what we can build together moving forward!”
The Niche Shop is open from noon to 7:00 pm on weekdays and 11:00 am to 7:00 pm on weekends.
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