Candy Shop Vintage
Where statement-making, vintage-inspired jewelry is served with tea in Charleston.
After making a move from New York City to Charleston, Deirdre Zahl found herself testing out jobs different from her corporate fashion jobs of the past.
She dabbled in marketing for real estate, then frequented estate sales and flea markets hunting down antiques for interior design clients, collecting vintage costume jewelry along the way. After curating trunk shows selling the vintage jewelry she’d found, she realized the women in her southern community adored big, fun pieces.
Catering to her clientele, Deirdre started creating her own statement-making, vintage-inspired jewelry under the moniker, Candy Shop Vintage. “I've always been a very creative person,” Deirdre says. “It feeds me to create and put beautiful things out there in the world. I constantly have new ideas and see the way things can be improved. This is my medium through which I channel my creativity.”
Candy Shop Vintage was initially sold online only, then Deirdre opened a store in 2015 inside a historic building in downtown Charleston. Built in the 1940s, the 600-square-foot space was once an auto repair shop. Later, it was an office for a design firm that, randomly, Deirdre shared an accountant with. She told her accountant to let her know if the company ever moved—then they did. Soon after, Deirdre made an official home for Candy Shop Vintage, where Deirdre hosts tea parties through Airbnb Experiences, private shopping events, and new product launches—Deirdre loves to celebrate with her creations and customers.
Unfortunately, Deirdre had to close her store in August 2020, but she’ll still have an online and retail presence in Charleston.
FEATURED DESIGNS
Deirdre designs Candy Shop Vintage's collections in South Carolina, and the majority of her jewelry is produced in Rhode Island. Deirdre tries to keep all production in the US, sourcing small vendors and producers mostly along the east coast. While she still searches markets and estate sales for vintage jewelry, Deirdre continuously creates new pieces for her customers that crave her playful aesthetic.
Vintage-inspired Charleston Rice Beads are Deirdre's most popular styles. In addition to her “Candy Shop Classics,” Deirdre introduces special collections all the time. The Celestial Collection was inspired by a vintage charm bracelet Deirdre once found, and she "blew up the charms," creating big pendants representing each zodiac sign. You’ll also find charming gifts and one-of-a-kind vintage jewelry in Candy Shop Vintage’s mix.
“Jewelry is so personal, and it has meaning to it. People are drawn to it, and they don’t even know why—it’s just an emotional response.”
SOCIAL STYLE
The Vintage Diary
Bright, bold jewels aren’t the only thing coming from Deirdre’s point of view. She has a brilliant blog peppered with new collection launches, delicious recipes, dance party music mixes, stories about female entrepreneurs, and more must-read glimpses into Deirdre’s fabulous life.
Coming Soon
Jason’s Interview with Deirdre
CANDY SHOP VINTAGE GIVES BACK
Since the Charleston Rice Beads are a customer favorite, Candy Shop Vintage recreates them in different colorways seasonally and uses them for charity efforts. For example, for the local Children's Hospital, Deirdre donated $20 from the sale of each necklace, raising about $5,000. To keep giving back to her community, Deirdre almost always has five or six products involved in fundraisers.
