The O-town Scene - Oneonta, NY
Issue link: https://www.ifoldsflip.com/i/28554
Casual Chit Chat Each week, we have a casual conversation with a member of the community. This week, Consignment Shop Owner Vicki Reiss of Shakedown Street and Cassandra Miller chit chat, casually. You own Shakedown Street, a consignment and fair trade shop on Main Street in Oneon- ta; where’d the inspiration for the shop and name come from? I first opened Shakedown Street in 1995. I was touring around with the Grateful Dead, and when Jerry Garcia passed away I decided it best to open shop in O-Town and finish col- lege. I got the inspiration from Buffalo Exchange in Arizona. It’s a chain now, but one of their first shops in Flagstaff inspired me to do the same here. There was nothing like it in Oneonta or the area back then. It took! People loved it, and I loved do- ing it. There are a lot of handmade items from area artists and craftspeople at Shakedown Street; are you an artist or crafter? I still dabble a bit with some hand- made jewelry and sew occasionally. I used to do a lot of handmade clothing and jewelry and hemp, but can’t seem to find the time these days. My husband does some woodwork, Viking chairs and sand- blasted glass vases and glasses. Once in a while I get crafty and make some herbal therapy pouches or other random things. I tend to make a lot more handcrafted items in the summer months when I am going to festivals or craft shows. You’re also a social worker and program coordinator for LIFE House, a program for run- aways and homeless youths of Otsego County; how do at-risk teens find out about it? What are some services are provided other than the hotline, tempo- rary home placement and case management? We have a toll-free hotline: 866-HELP 130. Our brochures and outreach materials are all over the county. School districts and other human service providers in Otsego County work closely with us as well. We offer crisis interven- tion and crisis counseling, family mediation and family development work, life skills, case management, shelter services and much more. We have an onsite food bank and hygiene pantry, and we work with youths under the age of 21 who are runaways, homeless, are thinking about running away or just need someone to help work out their problems. We have a wide array of services. And your third job is man- aging the Novelty Lounge, Oneonta’s topless bar on Main Street. How did you get involved with the lounge? I started as a bartender several years ago and just stuck with it. The owners are wonderful people, and I like the nostalgia of the place. It’s like a bizarre David Lynch film. You manage and bartend at the lounge, not dance. But, what do you think is a good song to dance on a bar to and why? That’s a tough one. I tend to block out the “strip hop” music while I work. To be quite honest, I don’t even see the girls behind me half the time. I’m there to serve drinks and entertain the customers. You grew up in Otego, but moved down south for a few years. What brought you back to the area? All my family and close friends are settled here. I love this area. There is a lot of talent and a lot of great people. I have traveled all over for years, so moving South for a bit was not that different for me. I was used to being on the road a lot and getting a lot of travel in. How would you describe Oneonta and the surround- ing area to someone who has never heard of it before? I would say O-Town is by far one of the best areas in upstate New York. We have a wide array of tal- ent in all forms. There is opportunity for everyone who has a creative bone; they just need to search it out and not give up. What are three of your favorite songs and/or favorite musical artists? moe. would be No. 1, and the song would be “Meat” tied with “Queen of Everything.” Grateful Dead would be a close second, and if I had to narrow it down, it would be “Men Smart Women Smarter” for the song choice. And third would have to be Bob Marley, “Redemption Song.” I will probably change my mind soon. Your professions are eclectic; are your hobbies and outside interests as diverse? My husband turned me on to rock climbing a few years back. I have always loved a good hike in a canyon. My girl Jess got me into kayaking last summer, which is a new favorite, and throw me in front of some live music any day and I will be smiling. What’s the best part about living in the Oneonta area? I have some of the best friends anyone could ask for. I would do any- thing for them, and they would do the same in return. Beautiful people. March 31, 2011 O-Town Scene 7