MORGANTOWN — Modern Throwback, one of downtown Morgantown’s newest stores, has officially opened its doors.
The store, at 360 High St., is owned by WVU alumnus Chayton Luevano and features all types of vintage clothing from the ’70s, ’80s, ’90s and 2000s. Some of the many items include WVU memorabilia, band tees, Disney tees, sweatshirts, hats and pants.
Luevano is always on the lookout for new products to add. The story also buys, sells and trades vintage clothes.
“I try to keep the store fresh and grow it organically,” Luevano said. “I always put new stuff out as it sells.”
Modern Throwback started off doing a soft opening Aug. 22, and Sept. 17 the store had its grand opening with a ribbon-cutting ceremony with the help of Main Street Morgantown.
“We are thrilled to have a new business downtown,” said Barbara Watkins, executive director of Main Street Morgantown. “These vintage stores are so popular.”
That became clear to Watkins during downtown’s monthly Arts Walks, where she said vintage vendors have done well. Not to mention that along with Modern Throwback, High Street is also now home to Classic Kickz, at 358 High St., a boutique that offers retro shoes. And soon, another vintage shop, Gallery 304, will open its doors nearby at 327 High St.
Modern Throwback’s opening is also part of a larger, positive, trend downtown, Watkins said.
“Storefronts are filling with businesses,” she said — and not just shops.
Watkins said food truck Von Blaze will take over the space where Maxwell’s used to be. Another restaurant, Eat My Taco, is set to open and Dirty Bird recently reopened its door. She also said that prospective business owners have checked out a few unoccupied spaces, such as where Dairy Queen and Benny Velino’s pizza place used to be.
“Hopefully, we’ll see more coming in,” Watkins said. “When people see the movement that will bring more people downtown and more people interested in opening businesses downtown.”
Luevano had been selling vintage clothing online since 2016 and had been saving money and clothes for Modern Throwback since fall 2020. He was inspired by his friends, who had opened stores in Pittsburgh, to open his own store in Morgantown, but first he had to graduate college.
Luevano graduated from WVU with a degree in supply chain management and a minor in finance in the spring of 2021.
After graduating, Luevano took the next step to turning his online business into a storefront business.
“It’s been a learning experience, which is fun,” said Luevano. “I had no experience in retail storefront.”
Luevano mentioned that he is happy with how things are going so far and is grateful to everyone who has stopped by and helped get his business going.
Modern Throwback, located at 360 High St., is open from noon-6 p.m. Sunday through Friday.
To find out more about Modern Throwback, check out its Instagram @modern_throwback_.
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