Flower Child — Attraction in Columbus

I really used to like Flower Child and this new location is absolutely beautiful, but I feel like they could have a better parking solution because it's off the beaten path and there is no clear parking area. If you park in the back, you have to walk through gravel and grass or walk all the way around another building to get to the sidewalk. The reason I am giving 3 stars is because their prices are outrageously inflated for vintage items that are not cleaned, a lot of the stuff has been very poorly maintained, and they stuff their racks way too much, making it difficult to see anything without messing up the hangars and feeling like a jerk because someone's going to have to fix it. The place is definitely aesthetically pleasing when you walk in, but you would need a good couple of hours to see everything. I think it would definitely make it a lot easier if they organized their inventory by size AND style, rather than style only.

The main thing that irked me is the fact that they had a rack of Saint Laurent outfits from the 60-70s that were very poorly maintained, smelled like they hadn't been washed in 50 years, and were charging over $500 for each piece. Almost every clothing item I saw was over $50 besides the stuff that looked like it was pulled out of someones trash. I feel like they could do a lot better in regards to the quality of the items they are selling rather than the quantity of items in their inventory, like at least have a washer/dryer to clean the clothes before putting them on the floor and maybe the place would not have that oddly specific musty mothball thrift store smell. I would probably be more likely to spend that kind of money on something if it didn't look like they pulled it out of someones attic, threw it up on a wire hanger, and shoved it in with the rest of the stuff. This practice does not make me feel like I'm buying anything that is "one of a kind".

I digress..I do think, however, overall their inventory is very unique and if you're looking for something very era or vintage specific and willing to spend a lot of money, this is a good...

“Welcome in, do you need help finding anything?”

“Yeah, actually, do you know where I can find three copies of the April 1974 issue of Playboy in near-mint condition?”

“Sure, take a look over—“

“I’m also looking for an authentic Herman Miller Eames chair in surprisingly good condition for, like, $2000 less than they retail for now.”

“Uh, very specific, but—“

“And how about a definitely-not-cursed monkey toy with eyes that pierce to the darkest depths of my soul?”

“You’re never going to believe this…”

Flower Child is not the only vintage store in Columbus, but I contend that it is the one with the greatest, best-curated collection and the most character. The folks that run it have great taste, and nowhere else will you find the care and effort they put into staging their finds.

They have thousands of items of every kind, from vintage leather goods (the only ethical way to buy leather these days, IMO) to clothing spanning four or more decades, an ever-rotating vinyl offering and collectible Americana from a time when things were made to last. You could visit a dozen times and still find new things to tempt your wallet.

Don’t go expecting thrift store prices, but do go with the intention of bringing home a well-preserved little piece of history and adding character to your home from a time gone by.

Pro tip: the first time you go, you’ll get a 15% off coupon at checkout that you can reuse on every subsequent visit (they condone this, and whatever they lose by giving a 15% discount each time they more than make up in repeat customers). They seem to get new stock in at irregular intervals, so if you’re like me and you’re always adding to your collection, drop in from time to time and save each visit. I go about once a month.

Pro-er tip: Fox in the Snow & Seventh Son are both just a short walk away. Nothing better than following up your archaeological dig with a brew of...

The staff are extremely rude. Remember that scene in “Pretty Woman” where the Rodeo Drive salespeople are condescending and rude to Viv? They were nicer than the woman behind the counter today. My friend brings up two stools, marked “8.50”, and the woman laughed and said they’re $850 and tries to convince us that the clearly marked dot was a comma (as if we write hundreds like that: $8,50), she torted that the fabric to reupholster the stools themselves was hundreds of dollars a yard, and then she took them behind the counter scoffing while saying “I’ll put these back as I’m sure you don’t want them anymore at $850.” My friend asked about the seller/consignment and the woman snapped, “we don’t do cOnSiGnMeNt, we have vendors.” I then asked, well could we call the vendor and confirm? And she said he was the man standing behind us (shaking his head at the stupid women who thought the stools were only $8.50).

I have never felt so disrespected in my life, and I was ashamed of this store because I recommended it to my friend who loves to thrift, and we were treated badly and I felt like they were making fun of us. A misunderstanding is fine, but handling it without class, treating your customers without dignity, not ok.

I’ve been coming here for 10 years and the prices have skyrocketed in the last few. One vinyl album was priced $48 without a sleeve and up the street at Spoonful Records, the same album, new-in-plastic, was $20. Also, they have a terrible selection of modern and plus size clothing. Just not a good store anymore. Costume jewelry rings are $18-$25 for China junk.

Save your money. Buy your vintage goods on eBay for real market pricing. No one should ever make customers feel inferior. Big...