THE BUZZ CREATORS

They’re generating the headlines, trends and styles for the rest of us.

THE STREET ARTIST

​CASSIUS KINGSTON III, 39 Street Artist We can thank Rex’s Bar for the surge in street art around town these days. According to Cassisus Kingston III, street artist behind the eponymous Instagram account @Cassius.k1ng, he first came to West Chester 20 years ago for an open mic night at the bar, and he has called this town his home ever since that fateful night. More renowned for his artwork than his vocals lately, King or “CK” as he is known, has been making his mark on the borough with playful vinyl sticker street art on everything from street signs to walls to sidewalks. King believes signs take up too much space to convey a message that everyone already knows, and that instead they should be utilized for beautification. His intention is to capture the sensation of seeing a magic trick for the first time, or to share an inside joke with someone he’s likely never met.

THE TASTEMAKER

MALENA MARTINEZ, 39 Owner, Malena’s Vintage Boutique

Fans should spot his work around town, or on his Instagram page. King also has limited print graphic t-shirts available at May23on Gay Street and will soon be releasing limited prints.

Take a spin through town and you’ll see plenty of boutiques. Yet, one that has stood out over the years (or sparkled, depending upon its window display) is Malena’s Vintage Boutique, the retro resale clothing and accessories shop owned and operated by Malena Martinez at the corner of Gay and North Church Street.

[Since @Cassius.k1ng keeps his annonymity online, choosing instead to blackout images of himself with cutouts of the nightsky, we opted to do the same here in print. I guess defacing public property does have a certain downside...]

Martinez, a West Chester native, opened Malena’s 16 years ago after deciding to start her vintage venture back home instead of in New York City, her home at the time. A lover of retro and antiques from a young age, Martinez studied

clothing design in college and worked in vintage shops prior to opening her own. Blending her aptitude for e-commerce with a small business knack, Martinez created a thriving establishment in a niche fashion retail market. At the boutique, customers can find stunning clothing, jewelry, and accessories from the 1910s to the 1970s, while her online inventory includes specialty pieces and clothing that predate the turn of the century. Martinez credits commitment to the customer, actively buying inventory, and keeping a close eye on trends, and her passionate staff, as reasons why her shop continues to create buzz in the borough. We happen to think it has a little comething to do with her, too.

JULY 2019 THEWCPRESS.COM

43