Mimi’s Vintage Cottage opens in FXBG

A small brick cottage on the corner of U.S. 1 and Princess Anne Street appears to have been in place since its construction in 1820. But this cottage, which used to be the home of the Fredericksburg Visitor Center, was originally built downtown before resting in storage for many years. But today, the cottage is home to a gift shop full of local art, knick-knacks, and blankets (most importantly blankets).

Alicia Stuck founded Mimi’s Vintage Cottage in memory of her grandmother, Mimi, who passed away 32 years ago. “It’s a vintage store,” Stuck said, “and I thought it needed a vintage name.” When she learned of the rich history behind the cottage, she knew she wanted a building with personality and a story. 

The walls and tables of Mimi’s Vintage Cottage are lined with hand-made wooden cabinets, cutting boards, wool blankets, and a vast assortment of other items. Stuck felt it important to highlight local artists, and give them a place to show and sell their work. In that spirit, she currently sells the work of 13 vendors, resulting in 30 percent of her items being hand-made locally. This January, also, many of her vendors will be offering classes to discuss their work. 

While Mimi’s is open year-round, Stuck believes that her store is at its best during the holiday season. There are a number of items to buy at Mimi’s for the holidays, including both new and vintage Christmas ornaments, many of which have been passed down for generations. “Christmas brings out memories,” Stuck said, “and people like to reminisce.”

Only in its third week of business, Mimi’s Vintage Cottage has embraced its history to share with Fredericksburg. Stuck believes the story and atmosphere of Mimi’s will resonate with many shoppers, especially for the holiday season. “It’s a unique place,” she said, “It’s a personable place to shop.” If you are interested in becoming a vendor, you can contact Alicia Stuck at [email protected] or at Mimi’s Vintage Cottage on Facebook. The business address is 2800 Princess Anne Street in Fredericksburg.