MANSFIELD — New year. New owner. New vinyl.
That’s the slogan Old Soul Attire & Goods has adopted after Holly and Chris Troupe sold their three-month-old store to Katy and Phil McClenathan, effective Jan. 1.
Katy, who was previously one of the Troupes’ employees at Old Soul, said owning a business has been one of her desires for years. She and her husband had considered opening a guitar shop in the area, but it “just didn’t feel right.”
When the Troupes opened Old Soul, Katy was happy to be on staff, especially since she has an appreciation for vintage apparel.
“I like that each piece has its own story,” she said. “I just want to make sure it goes to a good home.”
Now she’ll be able to have a more hands-on approach to seeing that Old Soul’s items are placed in a good home.
The Mansfield mom of four is looking forward to this new venture and being a part of the downtown community.
“Downtown Mansfield is very inspiring to me,” she said.
Old Soul offers vintage attire for males and females and vintage-inspired accessories. Most of the items were sourced from a wholesale supplier and made in the U.S.
The McClenathans have expanded the inventory to include vinyl records.
The couple used to work at a record store in the ’90s and both share an affinity for music.
“My husband and I really just enjoy music,” Katy said. “Growing up, we’d go to concerts almost every weekend, even down to Columbus. We were in high school together and supposed to go to prom, but instead we went to Buzzard Fest.”
Old Soul’s record collection features an assortment of artists, from Bob Dylan, Nirvana and Pink Floyd, to Jay Z, Beyonce, and Lady Gaga. Special orders will be available. The store is also selling record players.
Other new additions that customers can anticipate in the future are vintage t-shirts, vintage-inspired jewelry and vintage children’s clothing.
Holly is happy to see the store in good hands.
“This is going to be another feather in Mansfield’s cap,” she said.
Holly said the decision to sell the store was made with prayerful consideration. And although it’s a little bittersweet to pass the torch, the Troupes believe this is best, not just for Old Soul and The Boot Life, but downtown Mansfield as a whole.
“It’s going to allow Old Soul to grow much quicker,” Holly said. “And allow Boot Life to grow even faster next year, as well.”
In the coming months, the Troupes will focus their attention on launching an e-commerce store for The Boot Life, with the hopes of getting their online shop up and running by the end of March.
“We’re going to treat it as a second store, both in marketing and approach,” Holly said. “I think it is going to be huge.”
The Boot Life is in its third year of business. For more information, visit https://www.facebook.com/thebootlife/. And to learn more about Old Soul Attire & Goods, go to https://www.facebook.com/OldSoulAttireandGoods/.
