Helping people find a great vintage item is what Amy Bowman does best. She has always loved all things vintage, and that love led her to open her own hand-picked, vintage store called Good News Vintage in Michigan City. Her shop is her happy place and ultimately a reflection of herself. Bowman is extremely passionate about making sure the items she selects for her shop find their way into the hands of the perfect person in the community.
Ever since she was little, Bowman had a knack for all things vintage and interior design.
“I’ve been doing this ever since I was a kid,” explained Bowman. “I’ve always bought and found stuff to decorate my house with or my friends' houses.”
Bowman loves saving all of the treasures she finds for her shop from a life in a landfill. She believes that each and every vintage item has a story to tell and should not just sit in a landfill.
“We have a throwaway society,” said Bowman. “Everybody throws everything away; no one is inclined to save things. Making sure pieces are rescued and getting a second chance on life is really what I'm passionate about.”
This love for all things vintage and Bowman’s love for preserving items is what drove her to open her own shop. Before Good News Vintage, she was part of a partnership that owned and operated a similar vintage store. After that partnership ended, Bowman thought it was perfect timing to start up her own shop. Good News Vintage opened in February of 2021.
Bowman’s goal for her new shop was to create a warm and inviting place where she could share her unique finds with people in the community. She believes that each item belongs to a specific person.
“Everything in my shop I've handpicked to make sure it gets into the right hands,” said Bowman. “As an example, I had this awesome antique rug, and this gal came in and fell in love with it. Then, maybe a week later, she came back and said the rug just didn't work. She felt so bad, and she was going to keep the rug anyway, and I told her, ‘Please don't do that. Please let me refund your money and bring it back because I already know someone else who would love this piece.’”
Bowman loves that her shop is growing, which means she can serve the community of Michigan City better. She is proud to help get unique items into the hands of everyone in the community.
“My customers come from everywhere and all different kinds of backgrounds, I’m not trying to cater to just one type of category. I just want to see Michigan City grow and reach its full potential,” said Bowman.
Bowman’s passion for preserving history has not gone unnoticed. Recently, the mayor of Michigan City appointed her to the Historic Preservation Commission.
“I’m not a government girl, but I’m definitely into history and helping make decisions about historic properties that are trying to keep up in the modern world,” said Bowman. “I am excited about being on the board; it ties into what I do.”
To learn more about Good News Vintage, check it out here: https://www.facebook.com/goodnewsvintagemc.