What makes a new pop-up in Riverwest stand out is it’s “not just a vintage store (but) a spot to hang out and meet your neighbors,” says Celeste Carroll, co-founder with Gigi Kliesmet of The Polish Flat.
That’s why, in addition to selling clothing, knickknacks, folk art and quirky décor, they serve beverages such as hot chocolate and lemonade too, perfect to pair with pastries baked by Heidi Rose. Basically, The Polish Flat is full of “things that surprise people and spark joy,” says Carroll, a graphic artist who also retails her art at each pop-up.
Dates for the pop-up are announced at the beginning of each month, with the next ones on April 26 (10 a.m. to 4 p.m.), and April 27 (noon to 3 p.m.).
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When they met two years ago, the women quickly discovered two things in common: Polish grandparents who grew up in Riverwest and “this lifelong passion for things of the past and antique-ing,” says Carroll.
There was no question they’d launch their business in Riverwest, which they also call home. “Riverwest holds onto the history here, for small businesses and the architecture in its homes,” says Carroll.
The duo started small, with yard sales, before securing the storefront at 2974 N. Fratney, drawn to its original woodwork and tin ceilings. The building dates back to 1910 and is a former grocery store and butcher shop. “It screams Riverwest to us,” says Carroll. “Spaces and objects inherently create community and the buildings are what share stories in our history.”
When it came time to lock in a name, they chose to honor their families’ ethnic roots – and the neighborhood. Polish flats were a style of duplex housing built by Milwaukee’s and Chicago’s working-class, Polish immigrants, including in Riverwest. Instead of a side-by-side duplex, the units are stacked. It’s in homage to “people who worked together to balance affordability and quality,” says Carroll.
Hosting these pop-ups also allows the women to find new homes for their collections. For Carroll, it’s all about knickknacks while Kliesmet procures turquoise jewelry. “Tiny trinkets for your trinket shelf” and “things for your gallery wall” are two popular mantras at The Polish Flat, as is leaning into personal style, because there is no unifying theme in what they sell. “We are delightfully uncurated,” says Carroll. “We never want it to be too curated, too serious, always evolving.” Items are scored at estate sales, barn sales and thrift shops.
One day soon, the women hope to open a thrift shop that’s not a national chain and benefits local charities. “If you go to other states, you have these locally owned thrift shops,” says Carroll, pointing to The Brown Elephant in Chicago, where proceeds support LBGTQ+ healthcare for the underinsured and uninsured.
“There’s a revolution in creating your own space in your own home with sustainable things, like thrifted items,” says Carroll, “and not give your money to big, corporate stores, and keep your money local.
