Fringe 21

Interesting items from the entrance but does no one showed up to open. Waited 15 minutes in the cold, but I guess the owner is not too interested in customers.

These shops are always hit or miss. Fringe21 is a hit. Interesting, eclectic collection of products that span several decades. Nice shop to spend time in. The woman that appears to be the owner was very low pressure and seemed sincerely interested in satisfying me.

I made my way into Fringe for the first time around Christmas time, and can safely say I’ll be coming back again.
The presentation of the merchandise is appealing and interesting. The vintage items are all very high quality and in great condition. This isn’t your Auntie Ethel’s antique store. You can tell the owner and operator, Audrey, is knowledgeable and passionate about her business.
For people complaining about high prices, I’m not sure what you were expecting. Vintage items of good quality cost more than the stained/​chipped/​faded items you can dig out of a Goodwill bin.

Great Little Vintage Stop in Downtown Sacramento
SITREP
Just a block up from Broadway on the frontage road (W Street) at 21^st Street, is this little out-​of-​the-​way spot for antiquing & vintage. It’s not a huge store, but it is definitely worth a look for some unique items it has here. I thoroughly enjoyed the large baby bottle I got my picture with. ;)
[There is a wonderful Benjy-​looking doggie named Oscar (and who could be the canine-​version of the Sesame Street character of the same) who guards the place and also follows you around for scritches if he likes ya!]
THE SETUP
Fringe 21 («Fringe») is also set up nicely since it is adjacent to the Sacramento Antique Faire which runs once a month (on the 2^nd Sundays) right under the freeway.
Fringe has got some wonderful kitschy items ranging from furnishings, to the odd pictures, and to fun *pop* artifacts. Fuzzy hats too!
There is also a nice selection of old lights for that matter.
SCORE
Bambi and I found some very cool «art”-stockings for her which will be nice to see on an upcoming retro-​80s dance night.
THE LOWDOWN
Great stuff for the (cheap) taking!

Attractive and hip from the window but loses its midtown charm in snobbish feel. It’s like your cheap, crazy-​aunt is selling recently dead strangers, estate items for whatever price she feels like. There should be a membership to this high-​end junk club.

I happen to know a lot about fringe and the owner Audrey, and find a few of these reviews troubling. Audrey works hard to maintain a high end vintage atmosphere and I believe she has done so, she always has amazing displays and new items weekly, and one of a kind GEMS. Some are expensive yes, but I can assure you she is not over charging as they are WORTH it. Please take the time to do the research before coming to the conclusion that it is over priced. She also carries some the best fragrances I have ever owned that you cannot find just anywhere. I bought 2 of my favorite cowboy boots when she was having a trunk sale and I wear them constantly. Fringe is a ONE OF A KIND place, it may not be for everyone and that is ok, but if you are searching for amazing and rare items thus is our place. You can also find collectors items and BEAUTIFUL jewelry. I could go on and on, but not everything you read is true, she is a nice person and an artistic spirit, and never means to come across rude, she’s just a busy lady ! This woman works from sun up to sun down. Keep on bringing in the awesome stuff Audrey, there is a fan base, and I’m one of them.

Audrey has some very cool offerings and you have to keep visiting as the landscape changes yet it always has a good familiar feel. Worth a visit definitely. I’ve ended up with some very chic accessories and objects for home. Lots of vintage clothes and boots and I like her taste in furniture. Eclectic, odd, cool, hip, fun and you have to check it out. great for Sacramento in the we don’t have to hit San Francisco of LA to find this level of cool by going out of town. Thanks Audrey.

Not sure what kind of business they are running but it’s 11:25 and there’s a huge padlock on the door. According to the store hours they should hv bn open 25 minutes ago… ugh.
If this is an indicator of business ethics. …not interested.

Just got back and I admit it’s a nifty ecletic shop that’s quite pricey. I felt like it was more of an antique — vintage shop when I went there. Definately had the antique odor and the vintage dresses are so pretty but pricey. I talked to the store owner and she said they will be getting more stuff that are not vintage so i guess it depends on what they get. I love the glass items they sell even if a lot of them need some polishing or fixin up. Other then that I would go again if I am looking for some odd artsy items.

Yet another sideshow of oddities for sale that I cannot help myself but jump in and rummage through. I lost track of time wandering through the amazing selection of, well, stuff! It is hard to nail down what this store sells but it is eclectic and a bit of everything. I love the old machinist desk in the back and the birdcage. Yeah, the birdcage with somebody inside. I have pictures.

I love this place. Every time I come here, I end up buying something. While the prices are not cheap, I find things that I don’t see elsewhere, so that makes it worthwhile for me. Browsing through the racks of one-​of-​a-​kind vintage dresses, tops and skirts, trying on Louboutin shoes, posing in designer bags and belts, all makes for a pleasant Sunday afternoon.
The owner, Audrey Wells, was working this past Sunday when I stopped in for a few minutes. She immediately zoomed in on my vintage Chloe bag, which I’d bought at Fringe back in March, recognizing it as one of hers. Now that’s a savvy shop owner! She is very easy to talk to, giving suggestions for ways to wear different pieces of clothing, helping me find non-​traditional ways to look at clothing options.
You know how you’re supposed to walk away from potential purchases, and only get them if you think about them over the next few days? Well, there’s a pair of parrot green 4 inch heels made in Spain that fit me beautifully. I can’t stop thinking about them.
Hmmmm.

Fringe is the store that got me into antiques. Absolutely love every piece in this little store. The vintage clothes are what brought me into this store but there are so many interesting antiques that make me go crazy because I want it all. Didn’t rate 5 stars just because of the prices but overall, LOVE this store and highly recommended.

Cozy storefront just steps away from St. Francis Fountain (vanilla malt) and the über-​cool new donut place just a block away across the street.
some vintage-​style and local clothing designer clothing, and some of the hilarious T-​shirts I’ve seen across the bay in Berkeley. E.g., Dali Lama’s likeness above his oft-​repeated quote «Kill em with kindness».
Extra points for humor. Oh, some cool books too. Bought one for my daughter and she loved it.
Just think, for $ 10 you can make someone’s day1 (the owner)

If inanimate objects could talk, they would have such a story to tell.
Coming to Fringe is always fun to see what is new; well, actually old. Things here are mostly vintage pieces. They have clothing and shoes, jewelry, art, and furniture that has history and character. It isn’t cheap, but if you’ve got money to spend and want something that can’t be found just anywhere, this is the place to shop.

LOVE FRINGE
This store in amazing, they always have some adorable hand selected vintage clothing and sometimes some new boutique quality clothes. Not to mention all there vintage designer handbags and shoes.
The décor they carry is simply stunning, they have something for every type of style whether is modern, or vintage, or rustic, or anything else they have it.
Jewelry is next… TALK ABOUT AMAZING FINDS
They have some simply stunning «real metal» finds. I currently have a gold leaf upper arm cuff on layaway that is beyond worth the price (yes they offer layaway).
You will LOVE the owner of the store, she is just a doll and loves to talk and help you find anything you might need.
They also carry the most amazing line of candles «VOLUPSA (big ones running 22), however don’t be hesitant as the price is well worth the long lasting smells and hours of burn time. I honestly don’t think I will ever buy a different line of candles as its quick to fill the room and burns evenly.
If you have been thinking about stopping, be sure too! You will not be disappointed.
XOXO

Pretty cool vintage store! Mostly for the girls in your life, but they do have a section for men. The guys stuff seems to be western themed, which is right up my corner. They have this old cowboy hat that was bad ass. It was even my size (which is rare because my dome is so big! Mama says it’s because I have lots of brains), but it was kind of expensive so I didn’t attempt at making an offer. I don’t even know if their prices are negotiable. But after recently watching Samuel L. Jackson’s «The Negotiator» I feel like everything can be negotiated.
I would go back here in a heartbeat. Not only do they have clothes, but a huge selection of art, furniture, knickknacks, and just very randomly cool stuff. They have this huge leather lined, wooden framed burled wood chair. It is SO cool!
The girl working was really nice too. 5 stars. All. Day. Long.

I am a HUGE fan of Fringe. I live right down the street from this wonderful little shop, and I have to actively convince myself to «just go home», instead of filling my heart’s desire of meandering through the treasure trove that is Fringe.
Most of the items here are over my college-​student-​sized budget, but that never stops me from wanting, wishing, and sometimes buying. So far everything I have purchased here (including but not limited to: a black vintage fedora, feather earrings, key chain made from an old silver spoon, etc), I love more and more each day. I have taken numerous people (even my little 12 year old brother) here to show them all the amazingness, and every time we spend at least an hour just gazing.
Bottom line, I find myself singing the Little Mermaid song when I shop here. «look at this stuff, isn’t it neat…»

I went in here looking for some mid-​century stuff for my place (no, I have always loved mid-​century long before Mad Men). The selection for mid-​century stuff was nil, but the other pieces were great.
However, where I was put off were the prices. I’m not joking. These are San Francisco prices in Sacramento. The reason why SF and NY charge so much are two reasons: demand and rent. But even by SF prices, it was gauging and I chuckled as the owner tried to explain what Steampunk was «it’s a mixture of old and… and new… it’s really popular now…» I looked at her Steampunk stuff and sure ’nuff, it wasn’t steampunk. For starters, Steampunk doesn’t use chrome anywhere. Wrong metal.
The buyers obviously have a good eye, but there was nothing there that I couldn’t find on Etsy or eBay for much, much cheaper (I looked).
As a final example, I went to the Antique shop next door and *did* find a mid-​century night stand. A Dillingham Espirit — solid walnut. The price? $ 65 in near perfect condition. A totally fair price (as were all their prices). Go ahead and Google it. At Fringe, it would have been $ 350.
Fringe is a great place to browse, even take a friend, but just bring your smart phone before you buy. If it’s über rare and worth it to you, sure you’re paying the finders fee — handsomely. But if you find it on eBay or Etsy or Craigs List, I’d be willing to bet you can wait a week for delivery and a lower price.

I probably stop by Fringe at least once a week to browse or chat with the always friendly and fabulous Audrey. Really, one of the best stores in Sacramento and a source for probably 60% of the clothes and accessories I own. I have a wallet from there that 2 years and counting, I get compliments every time I pull it out.
Fringe also merits 5 Stars for the amount of time and energy Audrey has put into not just building an amazing collection, but in supporting the local design/​vintage community. Besides the 2^nd Sunday pop-​up shop that’s all local/​small designers and vintage dealers, it’s also This & That Thrift. Plus she’s my go-​to source for finding items by local designer Butt Ugly in between the quarterly sales.

They have some cool stuff. WAY TOO OVERPRICED.
Why pay 200 for the samsonite suitcase here? when i can get the same thing in better condition at the antique place on the corner for 25 bucks? No thank you!
They had some really cool tooled purses from Mexico… we get em for 20 bucks max in Mexico or at the mexican store cheaper, how much here? 175!
I went here once that was enough for me. I like the place on the corner better.

I found Fringe because it is right next to the The Aikido Center where I practice regularly. I found the staff to be very friendly and welcoming.
I found the items to be high quality and tasteful, and the prices compatible with what is offered.
Their website says «FRINGE is for everyone, but perhaps, thrillingly, for artists of all mediums, design gurus of most niches, retail aficionados». That’s probably why I am so comfortable there (I’m an artist and designer). This is definitely not the place to shop for «Traditional» or style-​free items.
Audry, the owner (or one of the owners?), introduced herself to me and we had a very pleasant conversation. A real conversation, not some store chit-​chat.
I’ve been back and will be back again soon.