REACHING FOR THE STARS
“All that Glitters Is Old” Wins Hurleyville Shark Tank
by Lily Barrish
HURLEYVILLE, August 2022 — The trendy thrift shop, “All That Glitters Is Old” is the winner of the Hurleyville Entrepreneurial Program prize, and will fill an empty space at the Main Street Mews building at 234 Main Street.
Main Street Mews owner, Jeffrey T. Stevenson, announced the winner.
“We were very pleased by the amount of interest in opening businesses in the downtown area of Hurleyville,” Mr. Stevenson said. “The diversity and number of applicants we had really showed the level of excitement in the larger community in a vibrant offering of services, in a new thriving Hurleyville. We are thrilled to offer this unique opportunity to “All That Glitters Is Old” and its owner, Samara Ritzler.”
Ms. Ritzler describes her store as a “curated thrift and consignment boutique of on-trend classic wardrobe staples offering accessible clothing for every day.” Custom denim rock jackets are one of the big draws. Shoppers can pick the denim, choose a band, and design their own studs and patches. Band tees and old vinyl records will also be a specialty. Stop by the store and there’s a good chance you’ll hear the Moody Blues or Led Zeppelin music playing.
Ms. Ritzler sources all of her material online and from other thrift stores. She doesn’t shop at big box stores or buy brand-new items—everything she sources is second hand. She’s a supporter of sustainability. Her merchandise is inclusive of all generations. She’s had everyone from a baby to 30-year-olds to a 60-year-old stop by her booth at the Farmers Market in Kauneonga Lake. She wants everyone to feel welcome and make the experience their own. Booking private events for occasions such as birthday parties where people can create jackets is a niche opportunity she is excited to bring to Hurleyville.
With the goal of supporting local women businesses and emerging artists, Ms. Ritzler currently has in stock Moroccan rugs and handmade gold-and-silver plated jewelry that she’s sourced from women she knows. One day she’d like to be able to travel to South Africa to support the women there by bringing back their products to sell at her store.
In regard to Main Street already having one thrift store just down the street, she said, “I like to support other thrift shops; I think it’s really important. It’s a benefit when a town has multiple thrift stores and a benefit to the actual thrifter because they can hit up two shops at one time. Our inventory is not the same at all so there is no competitiveness.”
Raised in Bergen County, New Jersey, she attended the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) and lived in New York City for 15 years. During the COVID pandemic, she relocated to White Lake with her mom to rehabilitate from the city. “I felt a real community up here and was able to breathe,” she said.
One of her jobs while living in the city included being a celebrity stylist.
“I’m a sick style hunter and I want people to have what they want. Come into the store and ask about style advice anytime. Someone recently called and asked if I had anything from Green Day.”
The inspiration for naming her store came from the lyrics “All that Glitters Is Gold” by Led Zeppelin. “Stairway to Heaven” is a very personal song to her because it’s her mom’s favorite.
Her mom was at the original Woodstock Festival, and Ms. Ritzler thinks Woodstock was “the coolest thing”—it’s her favorite moment in time in terms of history and being a classic rock fan. She feels privileged and blessed to live right down the road from Bethel Woods. Always wishing to own a thrift store and watching many episodes of Shark Tank, winning the Hurleyville Entrepreneurial Program was a dream come true.
Eventually she wants to offer business opportunities for adults at The Center for Discovery.
The store’s official opening was on Saturday, July 30. The ribbon-cutting ceremony will take place on Tuesday, August 9, at 11 a.m.