ABOUT BIG VINTAGE

Big Vintage is owned by me, Julia Pine, a person crazy about kitsch, antiques and old stuff. It fulfills my dream of opening a shop in beautiful downtown Almonte, where I wanted to share something I love, and offer goods that are 100% recycled, locally-sourced, quirky, unusual, and the opposite of big-box store offerings.
I've had a lot of jobs and a few careers, and it doesn't get better than this. Once a guitar player in an all-girl punk band, I worked as an office temp, secretary, security guard, dishwasher, movie extra, artist's model, ice cream scooper, cigar store counter girl, and waitress. This put me through university, where I earned three degrees, including a Ph.D. in something called "Cultural
Mediations." Mixed in there were eight years at the Bata Shoe Museum in Toronto, a long stretch in academia, work as a curator, teacher, writer, and even a stint with the federal government. After years of collecting vintage (including the occasional dumpster dive), I caught the entrepreneur bug which led me up the hill to a former Subway Restaurant in Almonte. This became Big Vintage in February 2020.
Since then, the Incredibly Awesome and Talented Big Vintage Staff and I strive to create a friendly, fun, and fascinating atmosphere, and to offer unique and meaningful items to our customers. Personally, Big Vintage has introduced me an outstanding community of customers, friends, co-workers, and neighbours. Almonte is truly a very special town, and I am lucky to live close by in the village of Galetta, with my adorable partner Kevin, and our six-toed cat, Sid.
To read more about the Big Vintage adventure, check out this article in the Carleton Place Almonte Canadian Gazette: www.insideottawavalley.com/news-story/10213355-a-treasure-trove-of-curiosities-awaits-you-at-almonte-s-big-vintage/ And don't forget to follow us on Facebook and Instagram @bigvintagealmonte.
I've had a lot of jobs and a few careers, and it doesn't get better than this. Once a guitar player in an all-girl punk band, I worked as an office temp, secretary, security guard, dishwasher, movie extra, artist's model, ice cream scooper, cigar store counter girl, and waitress. This put me through university, where I earned three degrees, including a Ph.D. in something called "Cultural
Mediations." Mixed in there were eight years at the Bata Shoe Museum in Toronto, a long stretch in academia, work as a curator, teacher, writer, and even a stint with the federal government. After years of collecting vintage (including the occasional dumpster dive), I caught the entrepreneur bug which led me up the hill to a former Subway Restaurant in Almonte. This became Big Vintage in February 2020.
Since then, the Incredibly Awesome and Talented Big Vintage Staff and I strive to create a friendly, fun, and fascinating atmosphere, and to offer unique and meaningful items to our customers. Personally, Big Vintage has introduced me an outstanding community of customers, friends, co-workers, and neighbours. Almonte is truly a very special town, and I am lucky to live close by in the village of Galetta, with my adorable partner Kevin, and our six-toed cat, Sid.
To read more about the Big Vintage adventure, check out this article in the Carleton Place Almonte Canadian Gazette: www.insideottawavalley.com/news-story/10213355-a-treasure-trove-of-curiosities-awaits-you-at-almonte-s-big-vintage/ And don't forget to follow us on Facebook and Instagram @bigvintagealmonte.