Old Meets New at Barn & Charm

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From the time she was a little girl, Carol Reesha appreciated the appeal of antiques.

“My mom took me to antique stores all the time. I just loved the quality of each piece,” Reesha said.

Such items are easy to find at Barn & Charm in Newhall, which features 16 vendors offering vintage and new artisanal items under one roof.

Barn & Charm in Newhall, displays vintage, repurposed, rustic home, retro, furniture, clothing and industrial Dan Watson/The Signal

Inspired by communal store spaces in San Diego, where she worked in the gift industry for several years, Reesha opened the store in November 2014 upon returning to the Santa Clarita Valley, after raising her family.

“San Diego has a lot of multi-vendor stores, but just with new merchandise,” she said. “I thought, let’s make something fun out of this.”

Each section of the open-air Barn & Charm offers something special, whether it’s vintage porcelain chickens, an Underwood typewriter or décor that Reesha refinishes on site for sale in the store or by commission.

“We upcycle, repurpose and resell, so you can find things here that you can’t find anywhere else,” she said. “Some of our customers come in every week to see what’s new, because things change daily. I’ll keep an eye out for pieces that are perfect for them and text them a photo.”

New merchandise are showcased in themed sections ranging from clothing to culinary to bath and body items. There is also a full line of fume-free, all-natural American DIY chalk and clay paints for home projects.

Vendor Kathy Tanabe has three sections in the story, including her exclusive “Empress Arts” baby line made with organic materials in neutral colors.

Barn & Charm Owner Carol Reesha displays repurposed canvas bags. Dan Watson/The Signal

She also shares a women’s fashion space with Catherine Lillywhite, which features super-soft Italian linen and knits, as well as jewelry and cats-eye style reader glasses.

“I feel so lucky to have found Carol. She gives us the freedom to be creative and do our very best,” Tanabe said.

Tanabe’s favorite space is the “self-love” wall, where one can find a seemingly endless supply of smell-good lotions, soaps, and sugar scrubs from US Apothecary, Berchberry and Klean Spa, with scents like Orange Vanilla, Lavender Cream, Beach House, and a citrusy Main Squeeze.

Kathy Tanabe arranges the items in her Self-Love Project booth at Barn & Charm in Newhall. Dan Watson/The Signal

“What I really want to do is spark a it of joy in people’s lives and get women inspired to take care of themselves,” she said. “It all starts from within and radiates out. It could be something as easy as a scarf or necklace that makes a woman feel better about herself.”

In addition to shopping opportunities, Barn & Charm offers workshops from $35 to $150 for the public to learn about such arts as hand lettering, shiplap signs, vision boards, jewelry making, and modern calligraphy.

Tina Decker is both a vendor and a class instructor, with a space that focuses on Victorian-era French items and classes on watercolors and succulents.

Barn & Charm, vintage collectables from France. Dan Watson/The Signal

A long-time purveyor of vintage items, Decker has been with Barn & Charm since 2016.

“There’s a really devoted, talented group of people here. We build each other up and support one another’s business. I find it very nurturing,” she said. “This is my happy place. I just love the energy in the store.”

Decker’s not alone. Barn & Charm has been successful in reaching everyone from college students who like to rock vintage clothing to an older clientele with a nostalgic fondness for items of their youth.

Vintage items on display in the Upcycled Cottage booth at Barn & Charm vitage. Dan Watson/The Signal

“I’m really happy to see younger kids liking older furniture and appreciating the value in it,” Reesha said. “Every house needs items that are truly unique.”

Barn & Charm, 22700 Lyons Avenue, Suite A, Newhall. Open Monday to Friday, 10 am to 5 pm, Saturday 9:30 am to 5 pm, and Sunday 9:30 am to 3:30 pm. All purchases come with complimentary gift wrapping upon request. For more information, call (661) 255-5466 or visit www.barnandcharm.com.

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