Locals in search of a place to hunt for quality retro clothing need look no further than Brookfield, as the village is now home to a new business promising shoppers a one-of-a-kind experience purchasing curated, timeless vintage finds.
Collect by Land, which officially opened its doors this spring, is owned and operated by Brookfield resident Jenna Land and located in the rear of another new Brookfield business, Luxxe Honor, at 3745 Grand Blvd.
Land, who is a special events florist by trade, says her decision to open up a shop in Brookfield that was part floral design studio, part retail store, was “truly kismet.”
“I had been working as an event florist out of my home, which worked for a while, but I was ready for a dedicated studio space,” she explained. “I reached out to the landlord [of the retail building] about renting just the back of the building. Coincidentally, Jennifer Del Giudice from Luxxe Honor had looked at the space earlier that same day and only wanted the front. We met two days later and instantly clicked – our passions and energy aligned. It was meant to be.”
Land, who has lived in Brookfield for the past seven years, says the concept of Collect by Land snowballed from what has slowly transformed over time from “a little COVID project.”
“Collect by Land is all about high-quality, designer, and natural material clothing and accessories,” Land said. “I focus on highly wearable pieces – timeless staples, regardless of what decade they were made in.”
Though vintage clothing is a passion of Land’s, she decided to open a physical location due to a big boom in the thrifting and secondhand shopping market among shoppers of all ages and across all socioeconomic demographics.
“Once you find a real Chanel piece at a thrift store, it’s hard to go back,” she explained. “I think people are starting to realize that polyester is plastic and fast fashion just doesn’t hold up. Vintage offers better quality, better fabrics, and more personality. I have silk blouses for $40 and Armani blazers for $125 – those are things you just can’t find at the mall anymore.”
At Collect by Land, shoppers mainly will find women’s clothing, shoes and accessories, but the store also keeps a small supply of carefully selected men’s pieces on the racks as well.
“Since I’m also an event florist, I keep the focus tight so I can do both well,” she said.
In addition to hand-picking all of the items in her shop, Land also hand-makes all of the jewelry and makeup tools she sells.
“I’m not just stocking shelves – I’m curating a collection,” she said. “And with my floral design studio in the back, Collect by Land is more than a vintage store; it’s a creative space. Stop by and let’s chat clothing and flowers.”
Land believes Collect by Land will be beneficial to the greater Brookfield community, not just because she says Brookfield is a welcoming village to small business, but because she says vintage shops specifically add special character to a town.
“There’s something special about discovering a hidden gem, and you always remember the piece and the place you found it,” she said. “Right now, I focus on women’s clothing and accessories, but I’m open to expanding if the demand is there.”
As for where she sources pieces for her store, all of Land’s gems are selected by her, and she does not currently accept donations, though she is open to possibly exploring the idea of vintage consignment as she gets a feel for what people in the area are gravitating for.
“I grew up in the Chicagoland area and know the city’s best-kept secrets, so I know where the treasures are hiding,” she said. “I’m also planning sourcing trips to other cities later this year, starting with Tokyo.”
Collect by Land is open Wednesdays through Fridays from 12 to 7 p.m., and Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information or to contact Land, visit CollectByLand on Facebook and Instagram.
