“The Marketplace by Fofie & Mia’s,” a Thrift and Vintage Shop in Byram, Where Sisters Pay it Forward

Sisters Meg and Kate Fronio are eager to mark the one year anniversary of the shop they run together, “The Marketplace by Fofie & Mia’s,” a vintage and thrift shop in the heart of Byram.

Sisters Meg (left) and Kate (right) Fronio, behind the counter at “The Marketplace by Fofie and Mia’s,” a vintage and thrift shop at 248 Mill St in Byram. Jan 31, 2022 Photo: Leslie Yager

Though it’s a shop many people pass in their travels, it’s quite easy and worthwhile to stop for a visit. In fact there is free on street parking as well as a municipal lot in the rear. Regulars know that new items rotate into the mix daily, and for many the shop has become a weekly haunt.

Meg and Kate explained that the store is named after of another pair of sisters, Sophie Karipides and Maria “Mia” Katsaros, two Greek sisters, also from Byram, who first opened an interior design and decorating store in Larchmont, before opening their sister store, The Marketplace by Fofie & Mia’s.

“The Marketplace by Fofie and Mia’s,” a vintage and thrift shop at 248 Mill St in Byram. Jan 31, 2022 Photo: Leslie Yager
“The Marketplace by Fofie and Mia’s,” a vintage and thrift shop at 248 Mill St in Byram. Jan 31, 2022 Photo: Leslie Yager

“One of the sisters, Mia, has a newfound relationship with the Lord, and had a gut feeling about giving back to the community,” Meg said of the faith-based store. In fact there is a scripture verse painted on the wall over the checkout area.

“She decided to open a thrift store in the height of the pandemic, and since we all grew up in Byram, she wanted it to be right here,” she added.

The main theme of the store is ‘giving back,’ though a secondary theme is reusing and recycling.

“We’re the type of people who will notice something serviceable that has been put out on the street. We grab it, we fix it, we sand it and we repaint it,” Meg said.

For example, the sisters refurbished a charming dresser and bedside table, which are currently on display in the shop’s window. Priced at $295 for the dresser and $80 for the bedside table, Meg noted, “You can’t even find a night stand in HomeGoods for $80 and it’s solid wood. We put the work in.”

The store does not operate on a consignment model. Instead, 90% of the merchandise features items the sisters have purchase at estate sales, flea markets and even Facebook marketplace. The other 10% are donated items.

“If there’s something donated that we can’t showcase or sell, we’ll donate it,” Meg explained. “Nothing ever gets thrown out or goes into landfills.

Kate and Quinn, the friendly dog at Fofie & Mia’s at 248 Mill Street in Byram.

For example, Meg said a woman donated two big black garbage bags full of women’s suits.

“I got online and started to do some research and found a charity in Norwalk that matches women with clothing to help then prepare for job interviews,” Meg added.

The sisters explained that some people will bring in a combination of items – some to resell and some to be re-donated to the right charity or person. Meg and Kate often bring clothing donations to Don Bosco in Port Chester or to the Open Door in Norwalk.

Better yet, through word of mouth, Kate and Meg connect with individuals or even families and are able to help in a meaningful way.

“We had one family whose house burned down. They lost everything,” Kate said, adding that they connected with the family because husband worked for a friend of hers and Meg’s. “They had lost everything. They came in and we dressed both of them and their two boys.”

Kate and Meg said they love the fact that thrifting has recently caught on among people as young as middle school.

“We get kids who come in here off the bus from middle school,” Kate said. “They love our vintage t- shirts and sweatshirts. Or they tell us what they’re looking for and we keep track of it in our book. We put out new items every day, so people come in often.”

Kate said that sometimes there will be just the right item in the back room.

“If someone says they’re looking for something in particular, maybe a leather jacket, we’ll make that connection,” she said.

Making Byram a Vintage Shopping Destination

“We get a lot of people from the city who make Byram a destination,” Meg said. “We try to price as fairly as possible because we want people to keep coming back.”

Indeed, the prices are low compared to other vintage shops, especially to the ones in Manhattan and Brooklyn. And the quality is high.

Kate said the shop has grown a loyal following in its first year, but it hasn’t been an easy road during the pandemic.

“Our lease is up in two years and we’re really trying to bust a move,” she said. “Our main passion and goal is to give back to the community, but we have to keep this business open.”

People can email or call and arrange to text a photo of an item and ask whether it’s something they could resell. They do not operate on a consignment basis. Include your asking price and contact information.

“It’s a balancing act,” Katie said, of the goal of sustaining the business, giving back to the community and working with customers to buy and resell items.

The store opened in January of 2021, and to mark one year in business, Kate and Meg are planning an event to mark the occasion on Saturday, Feb 19 from 10:00am to 7:00pm. If you can’t stop in before then, make sure to come to the “Bags and Bubbly party” for some surprises and great sales.

The Marketplace by Fofie & Mia’s is located at 248 Mill Street, Greenwich, CT 06830

TheMarketplaceCT.com

Instagram @themarketplace.fofiemia

Tel. (203) 531-6030

Email: [email protected]

Hours:

Monday – Friday : 10am – 6pm

Saturday : 10am – 7pm

Sunday : Closed

Five outfits rotate with new ideas at Fofie & Mia’s at 248 Mill Street in Byram.
Vintage books and LPs at Fofie & Mia’s at 248 Mill Street in Byram.
Shoes and boots galore at Fofie & Mia’s at 248 Mill Street in Byram.
Earrings at Fofie & Mia’s at 248 Mill Street in Byram.
Soaps and lavender on display in a vintage porcelain bath at Fofie & Mia’s at 248 Mill Street in Byram.
The merchandise is constantly changing at Fofie & Mia’s at 248 Mill Street in Byram.
Handbags on display at Fofie & Mia’s at 248 Mill Street in Byram.
An inspiring verse over the checkout at Fofie & Mia’s at 248 Mill Street in Byram.
Thrifty children’s clothing finds at Fofie & Mia’s at 248 Mill Street in Byram.
Perusing the women’s dresses at Fofie & Mia’s at 248 Mill Street in Byram.
Shoes and boots galore at Fofie & Mia’s at 248 Mill Street in Byram.
Hunting for treasures at Fofie & Mia’s at 248 Mill Street in Byram.
Hunting for treasures at Fofie & Mia’s at 248 Mill Street in Byram.