After 40 years running her downtown shop on Liberty Way, Sophia Scarpelli has moved to Cos Cob.
Her new space at 428 East Putnam Ave is smaller, but feels spacious with high ceilings and front porch. She has transformed the space that was previously home to an Allstate office, removing multiple cubicles and hand painting the historic tin ceiling silver.
Thursday she held a grand opening attended by 90 people who helped celebrate the Greenwich native’s fresh start. Or rather she has come full circle to her Cos Cob roots.
As always, Sophia’s assortment of vintage clothes, jewelry, cards and gifts feature seasonal favorites.
Costume Rentals
As for costume rentals, that will now be by appointment only, on Thursday, Friday or Saturday, beginning May 1.
“Call ahead, and say, for example, ‘I want to be a flapper,'” she said. “I’ll bring in 20 dresses for you to try on here.”
Her costume collection is somewhat pared down, but, she said, “I kept my best things.”
“I kept the Renaissance costumes, Wild West, the 18th century gowns, and authentic vintage 50s, 60s, and 70s, 80s and 90s costumes, and the Flapper dresses,” she explained.
Also, she said she is representing local painter Kate Moran whose oil paintings adorn the walls. “I had displayed her art in the past during Art to the Ave,” Scarpelli said.
Customers who complimented the red and white Art Deco wall clock and 1958 painting of flamingos were surprised to learn they had been in the previous shop for decades.
“No one noticed the painting, now people want to buy it,” she said.
Likewise, customers are drawn to the vintage cream and red Art Deco scale that for a penny gives you your accurate weight and your fortune.
“That was in the bathroom. Most people never saw it,” she explained. “Stand on it, pick out your question, put a penny in, and it’ll tell you your fortune and your weight.”
Sophia’s is located at 428 E Putnam Ave, in Cos Cob. Tel. (203) 869-6911
