1. Track #1: Glam Factory Vintage, Arts District
You can’t miss Glam Factory Vintage on E Colorado Ave—it’s a yellow-painted, reconverted old house with whimsical ‘70s-style signage. Inside, the shop is stuffed with women’s and men’s “vintage clothing and accessories from the ‘40s through the ‘70s,” says owner/curator Stephanie Roshto.
I happily left with a real “find”: a red ‘70s blazer with wide lapels—in mint condition, magically reborn with gold-and-white buttons—for only $40.00. “Our clothing is for everyone,” notes Roshto. She also told me they will open a second location in mid-January inside the destination Charleston Antique Mall.
2. Track #2: Analog Dope, Arts District
Looking for something different? Try the consciousness-raising Analog Dope. Owners Rachelle and Charlie describe it as a “Black-owned, woman-owned, and queer-owned bookstore and vinyl record shop.” They wanted to create “a diverse and welcoming safe space that amplifies literature and music from Black, African Diaspora, POC, LGBTQ, and cultural communities around the world.”
Stopping into the eye-catching red-and-black-painted shop on E Colorado Ave, I bought an essential vinyl compilation album, “When Women Sang The Blues.” It was in the bin alongside albums by Billie Holiday, Aretha Franklin, and Marvin Gaye, plus vinyl pressings from contemporary R&B artists like Kaytranada, SZA, and Erykah Badu.
You’ll also find an array of books. The owners say, “‘The Four Agreements’ by Don Miguel Ruiz and ‘All About Love’ by [the lower case-identified author] bell hooks are among our best sellers.” Look for their proudly displayed “Banned Books” section—a clever slap-in-the-face to conservative lawmakers.
Analog Dope recently hosted a book signing for platinum-selling artist/hip-hop mogul Jay “Jeezy” Jenkins, and actor Hannibal Buress has dropped by with his friend Coco Jenkins, the local artist/founder of the “There’s Nothing To Do In Vegas” platform.
3. Track #3: Main St Provisions, Arts District
“All I ever wanted to do was open a neighborhood ‘joint,’” says Kim Owens, the effervescent owner of Main St Provisions, which launched in December 2020. “I wanted a place where guests could come in for special occasions, but more importantly, a place that everyone wanted to visit on a random Tuesday night when they just didn’t feel like cooking.” Who can’t relate to that?
The spacious restaurant on S Main St, artfully designed with modern and vintage-inspired touches, serves “New American” cuisine, with an emphasis on steaks. Executive Chef Adrian Garcia oversees a menu with Filet Mignon Tartare, Short Rib, New York Strip, Steelhead Trout, and Pumpkin Risotto, one of their plant-based dishes.
Owens says the eatery attracts mostly locals from all over the valley. “We’ve also started to see some of our visitors joining us as the Arts District continues to grow and develop. We’ve had many famous people join us in the almost three years we’ve been open.”
Clearly, Main St Provisions aims to please.
4. Track #4: Rockin Bettie, Arts District
This self-described “pin-up rockabilly retro boutique” on S 3rd St is in what used to be “a church built in 1924 for railroad workers,” says Rockin Bettie owner Amy Ortiz. “It’s such an awesome space. Our whole courtyard used to house the railroad workers. We used to even have a bell until someone got on our roof and stole it!”
Established in 2011, the shop has attracted luminaries like Britney Spears and sells vintage-inspired clothing in sizes extra-small to 6XL, all designed in Vegas. “Because our clothes fit everyone’s body and style so well,” says Ortiz, “our customer base spans a wide range, from 15-70 years of age.” The store’s hottest items? “The Whittier pants is our top seller, followed by the Mimosa matching sets (the atomic dress with matching men’s sweater), the Kellyann sweater, and finally our ‘Love Your Curves’ belted capris.”
Ortiz is known for working with nonprofits in the community since she was 15. “I was born and raised in Vegas, so helping the community means everything to me. Before Covid, I held yearly car show events to benefit the homeless teens of Las Vegas.”
5. Track #5: Dig It! Coffee Co., Arts District
With its infectious catchphrase—”Kindness. Coffee. Inclusion.”—Dig It! Coffee Co. on S Casino Center Blvd is a meaningful addition to the city’s cultural life. The bright, multi-colored space opened its doors in September 2022, and its patrons include Vegas-born, Emmy award-winning actor/director Matthew Gray Gubler from TV’s “Criminal Minds.”
Inspirational owner Taylor Gardner Chaney explains that the mission-oriented Dig It! caters to those who “recognize the importance of changing the future for the disability community in terms of fair pay and fair treatment in the workplace.
However,” she adds, “our fans are not just those within the disability community, but coffee lovers in general who care where their dollar is spent. We know there are lots of choices for coffee here in Vegas, and we’re grateful that people believe in what we’re doing while also loving our menu.”
Try their signature “Dirt Cup Latte,” consisting of dark & white chocolate, cookie crumbles, and a gummy worm. The “Fluffer Nutter Latte,” with peanut butter and expresso, also delivers a thrill. And you won’t leave hungry. Their avocado toast boasts a house-made romesco sauce, bagel seasoning, and chili oil. Another tasty option is their Benedict breakfast burrito.
Customers not only get to enjoy these offerings, but they contribute to a life-affirming business that “hopes to set an example of equality for all,” says Chaney, to whom I’m raising my glass.
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