Fourty plus years ago, two cousins Jo Lynne and Peggy, played dress-up in their Grandma Cora & Grandpa Stanley's Attic. With Opera Dresses, Flappers, Uncles' Tuxedo, and Aunt Pat's Paper Dolls, we developed an appreciation for fine wool crepes, silk damask, delicate cottons and rayons. Cut glass buttons and Hats that were handmade by Cora allowed our imaginations to take flight. In that Attic we would later find a box labeled "Pieces of String too small to use" as well as Seventy boxes of Ribbon saved for future projects. Reality was when one grew up with little, they tended to save everything. Cora was ahead of her time. Nurtured by her daughters, our own Mothers, Betty & Peg as well as our Aunt Pat, this Artistic environment taught us there are no limits on a Dream. 

To Portland & The Willamette Valley

In 1996, when a closet door packed with "Treasures" broke off its hinges, American Vintage Trading Company was born. Over the years we "found" such items as Nike Sportswear and Shoes, GoGo Boots from Golo, Vintage Hawaiian shirts and a host of other wonderful finds. We have sold Denim to the Soviets and Japanese and have made friends in many Countries.  Our old friends in Thailand have become sources in Importing Beautiful Handmade Items. In our hearts though, we confess that we are still to this day, "Thrift Store Junkies". Our children have the same "gleening" gene as recently displayed by a son, who with his wife pulled a leather couch off the streets of Manhattan to claim as their own. As the importance of recycling and reclaiming items that could be used again is central to our vision, we also try to package with cardboard in good condition that we gleen from the community. Yes we are the two women you see leaving local stores with overflowing baskets of empty boxes or straddling the side of a Cardboard Container outside the Mall. Finally, we wish to Thank You for visiting our About Me Page and hope that we can bring you items that you will Treasure. Happy Bidding! Jo Lynne & Peggy