Meet Stella Rose

Theresa Mieczkowski is a writer, mom, and activist who has had a life long obsession with vintage shopping. While raising three kids she would often talk about the store she would own one day and made her dream a reality in 2023, when she purchased and rebranded Stella Rose. Her commitment to rebuilding community, offering a place for women to gather and using her platform to highlight the need for sustainable living is the foundation of Stella Rose. Come in to meet her, and see how her vision of “a store that is so much more,” is redefining the way people shop and recycle their things. 

“The clothing owes us nothing.”

The story behind the logo -- an excerpt from the owner, Theresa.

"The concept of something old breeding new life - (hence the flowers growing out of an old boot, which HAD to be a suffragette boot, because of course it did-suffrage is everything) just made sense to me. The boot had to be tightly laced of course, perfectly standing, set in stone-reminiscent of things past that still hold up today- but the new life, bursting out the top, blooming with possibilities was the most important part. English garden blossoms, obviously- we must always give the nod to Ms. Austen when we are able-giving an earthy little tribute to conservation and sustainability. The toe has some wear - showing vivacity and resilience; perhaps some ass-kicking had been done in a ladylike manner- maybe rocks were climbed in them, certainly roads had been marched.

This logo is what signifies how I feel about what we are doing here, planting seeds in our community- seeing growth and beauty and life in things that were cast aside. A nod to the ladies of the past- not just the suffragettes, but all of the women who walked through life in these things they have so graciously shared and the beautiful stories their memories hold.

There is a great deal of life left in the things we leave behind, and so much splendor in sharing them with others. It is all the possibilities that grow out of our ability to conserve and repurpose."

From the Marbledale Locker to Stella Rose

Phil Gargan and Michael Condon, both of whom immigrated from Ireland in the 50's-- owners of the Marbledale Locker. The Marbledale Locker was a pillar of the greater Washington, CT area, that treated customers as family. Stella rose continues their tradition of community that began in this special space

Stella Rose

Where old things don't end -- they bloom again in the right hands.