Downtown Bangor’s newest vintage clothing store is open for business.
Log Jam Vintage, located at 8 Harlow St. on the corner of State and Harlow streets, opened for business at 2 p.m. on Friday. The owners, Jeremy Richardson and Miriam Davidson, launched the business to help preserve a nearly 200-year-old lighthouse they own.
The store sells a variety of men’s and women’s clothing and accessories made during and before the 1990s that evoke the rugged style and feel of Maine. Customers can expect to find mostly domestically-made clothing from brands such as L.L. Bean, Lands’ End and Levi’s.
Richardson said he wants to buy and sell versatile, timeless pieces “at Bangor prices” that customers can wear both on a camping trip or out to lunch.
The store joins a growing number of second-hand, consignment and vintage stores throughout Bangor, including White Lobster Vintage, Red Rabbit Bazaar and Cool Girl Collective.
The couple believes the recent rise in demand for used clothing, especially from younger people, is due to a growing realization that older products are often higher quality than what shoppers can find today. Additionally, pre-owned pieces are usually cheaper than buying new, making them an affordable option for shoppers when prices everywhere are rising.
At left: Log Jam Vintage, which sells clothing and accessories made during and before the 1990s, opened for business on Friday and is located at 8 Harlow Street on the corner of State and Harlow streets. The owners, Jeremy Richardson and Miriam Davidson, opened the business to help preserve Moose Peak Lighthouse, a nearly 200-year-old lighthouse; at right: Log Jam Vintage opened for business on Friday at 8 Harlow Street on the corner of State and Harlow streets. Credit: Linda Coan O’Kresik / BDN
“It feels good to reuse what we have,” Davidson said.
The couple plans to use the profits from the business to rehabilitate and maintain Moose Peak Lighthouse, which the couple bought in 2018. Built in 1826, the lighthouse sits on 30-acre Mistake Island off the coast of Jonesport.
The U.S. Coast Guard operates the light, which still serves as a navigation aid, but Richardson and Davidson, who live on the mainland in Jonesport, are responsible for maintaining the property and rehabilitating the lighthouse.
The couple has been selling vintage clothing in Portland and online for more than a decade to support the maintenance of the island and lighthouse. The downtown Bangor storefront is the first brick and mortar location for the operation, Davidson said.
“If we’re going to do what needs to be done to the lighthouse, we need support,” Davidson said. “It’s a risk, but we’re excited to finally get the doors open.”
The new store’s hours are Thursday from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., according to the business’ website.
