Get involved: The Vintage Cat, 502 Main St., opens Sunday

The Vintage Cat opens at 502 Main St. around 10 a.m. Sunday. The owner, Patty Nitto, has experience in estate sales and selling vintage finds at Heritage Trail Mall in Winnetka. Equipped with a good eye and plenty of off-site storage space, she had amassed a large collection of vintage clothing and decorative items. This year she decided to downsize. She wasn’t sure how to get rid of her goods, but a few friendly cat people around the corner from her new store showed her how to do it.

A chance encounter

Was it karma? Happy coincidence? Shortly after deciding to downsize, she met a woman asking for donations Paws and Claws Cat Rescue. The fundraiser was set to celebrate its first anniversary at its Chicago Avenue location. Nitto offered their services and donated some goods.

Nitto said, “I have to pass it on in life, and I believe in spreading it in the universe.” So I was involved in the sale, which was very successful. I suggested doing a pop-up in the summer. I said we could call it the “Alley Cat Sale.” We could have it outside and I would donate as much as I could to go to the shelter,” Nitto said.

The Paws and Claws Alley Cat Vintage Market held in July was very successful.

A stroke of luck

“During the summer, this storefront became available, and the people at the shelter insisted I come by to look at the storefront… and everything started falling into place from there. The landlord loved my ideas for the store and said, “Evanston needs someone like you.” And I thought, “This is for me,” Nitto said.

“It’s not just about the financial return. It’s about making people happy. Even saying that gives me goosebumps because I don’t keep things to myself. I’m really trying to get it out there. It’s a good feeling of community and love. And I’ve never met so many wonderful people as I have since this Paws and Claws situation. It’s like the world opened up to me,” Nitto said.

A feeling of gratitude

She will also donate a portion of sales to Paws and Claws. Nitto feels great gratitude. Without them, she wouldn’t have known about the open space at 502 Main St. She said she met everyone in the neighborhood and most of the other store owners stopped by to say hello and welcome her.

In an email, Ashlynn Boyce, the executive director of Paws and Claws, wrote, “I adore Patty! We are so excited that she is opening her store The Vintage Cat. It’s been a lifelong dream of hers and to see her realize it and open a store on Main St., right around the corner from Paws and Claws, is so exciting. I’ll be there often to shop and just chat with her. She is full of enthusiasm and energy and I am so proud of her for pursuing this dream. It’s not easy to open a business, but I’m very confident that the community will love The Vintage Cat and especially Patty herself.”