Cattywampus Vintage Celebrates Opening On South Main
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Water Valley Area Chamber of Commerce ambassadors hold the ribbon as Cattywampus Vintage owner Jen Barker cuts the ribbon during the store’s ribbon-cutting ceremony Friday, Sept. 11. Pictured with Barker are building owner Mike Mitchell and Caroline Hobbs, a Mississippi clothing designer and owner of Painted Oyster, whose sustainable clothing is sold at Cattywampus. Hobbs also partners with Barker to offer creative workshops and alterations at the store.
WATER VALLEY — A love of fashion that stretches back to her grandmother’s thrift store in West Point has found a home on South Main Street in Water Valley.
Cattywampus Vintage, owned by Jen Barker, celebrated its opening with a ribbon cutting Friday, Sept. 11, at its shop at 16 S. Main St.
Barker has been operating the store for about six months and said the response has been encouraging.
“It’s been great,” Barker said. “I’ve had a lot of wonderful support from Water Vallians and slowly have more folks from Oxford coming, too.”
Barker’s interest in vintage clothing has family roots. Her grandmother operated a thrift store in West Point during the 1970s, and Barker said she believes she inherited some of her interest from her.
She also has professional experience in fashion. Years ago, Barker worked at an upscale boutique in Jackson, where she served as a buyer.
“I’ve always loved what fashion can do for a person,” Barker said. “It’s not just clothing.”
For Barker, clothing is a means of expression that can change a person’s mood, make an impression and provide an opportunity to wear something different from what everyone else has.
That individuality, she believes, is one reason vintage clothing has become increasingly popular.
“I think people now more than ever want to express themselves and to not look like the person next to them,” Barker said.
Cattywampus Vintage’s inventory is about 90 percent vintage, which Barker defines as clothing at least 20 years old. She personally selects the merchandise, which is cleaned, stain-treated and mended before being offered for sale.
Cattywampus Vintage owner Jen Barker displays a pair of vintage overalls that belonged to her grandfather, a farmer and hunter from the West Point area. Barker said some of her grandfather’s well-worn overalls have already found new homes through the shop.
“It’s very curated,” she said. “I’m the only person doing the buying.”
The age and rarity of an item can affect its price. Clothing from the 1950s, for example, is generally much harder to find than clothing from the 1990s.
Barker particularly looks for clothing made from natural fibers, including cotton, silk, wool, rayon and linen. The store carries men’s and women’s clothing and accessories, with merchandise ranging from inexpensive finds to vintage designer pieces.
Among Barker’s more personal pieces are vintage Big Mac and Liberty overalls that belonged to her grandfather, who farmed and hunted in the West Point area. Several pairs have already sold.
The store also carries vintage hats, which have developed their own following.
“I have a lot of guys that come in once a week and see what new hats I’ve added,” Barker said.
Barker cleans the hats before putting them out for sale, soaking and scrubbing them before stuffing them with paper to dry and retain their shape.
Cattywampus is also becoming a place for activities beyond shopping. Barker has hosted creative workshops and plans additional events, including workshops with Mississippi clothing designer Caroline Hobbs of Painted Oyster.
Barker said Painted Oyster creates sustainable clothing by repurposing garments that might otherwise be discarded because they are stained, torn or damaged. Cattywampus is also offering in-store alterations on selected dates, with customers able to bring in clothing for mending or alterations.
The shop represents a new chapter for Barker as well.
After living in several places, including Colombia, and competing as a mountain runner, Barker found herself deciding whether to pursue a life involving mountain running and guiding or return closer to her family in West Point.
Family won.
She began looking for the right community that would put her closer to home while still giving her room to establish a life of her own.
Water Valley fit.
“I was looking for just the right place,” Barker said. “Water Valley was it.”
Cattywampus Vintage is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday.
