The owner of Retro Daddio, a specialty store formerly located in New Town that featured nostalgia-based merchandise, has signed a lease to reopen her store in the Monticello Shopping Center in Williamsburg.
Retro Daddio will take the slot formerly occupied by the Children’s Hospital of the King’s Daughters Thrift Store, which moved to a larger spot in the same shopping center after it was vacated by Hancock Fabrics.
Owner Jen Thurman said the landlord is currently renovating the interior of her new location and she hopes to open by the end of October.
“I think it’s a good space for me because anyone who is coming in the stoplight, my store will be right in front of them,” she said. “Anyone who is sitting at the stoplight will see my storefront.”
She said the Monticello Shopping Center location has better visibility than she had in New Town, though the amount of foot traffic will decrease.
Retro Daddio originally opened in New Town about a year ago. While Thurman said it was a “wonderful” place to run her business, she needs a spot with lower rent to cut down on overhead costs.
Thurman had signed a letter of intent with the Williamsburg Shopping Center across the street, however that was voided after the shopping center was auctioned off. She said the new owners of the shopping center have not been communicative, prompting her to investigate options across the street.
The new location will feature much of the same merchandise options as the last one, including items from her top seller, British television show “Dr. Who.” She also sells many Star Wars, Star Trek, Monty Python, Harry Potter, Marvel and DC Comics merchandise.
She said she is also buying and selling used CDs and vinyl records. She wants to start selling 1950s-themed clothing, like bowling shirts and pin-up girl clothing.
In an August interview, Thurman said relocating from New Town to closer to the College of William & Mary was an ideal move.
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