Located at 2030 Central Ave, ARTpool celebrates its 16-year anniversary. You may have noticed their eclectic window displays—the flare of their vintage, handmade, and recycled duds—the mannequins that may or may not move on their own in your peripheral vision. If you haven’t gone yet, ARTpool is a must visit St. Pete staple in the Grand Central District.
Just as eclectic as the vintage fashion is the inimitable owner, Marina Williams. A St. Pete native, Marina opened ARTpool in 2008 at age 23. Fresh out of grad school in London where she studied film and photography, Marina collected vintage attire for her photoshoots. Since ARTpool began as an artist’s co-op, selling clothes was a way to keep the doors open. But the retail business burgeoned. And thanks to Evan, her husband, ARTpool’s vintage record collection has become equally extensive.
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One stop shop for every kind of party
Whatever occasion you plan to attend, Marina will sort you out. “We’ve got it on lockdown for theme parties and focus on 1920’s flapper, 70’s disco, 50’s pinup/rockabilly, 60’s/70’s hippie/festival/Burning Man gear, 80’s/90’s color block and band t-shirts, Halloween, Derby hats, and everyday funky and fabulous outrageously fun finds. We love what we do so it’s really awesome that we get to help people have fun every day. Also, people love coming in to say hi to Franklin, our 9 year old mini-schnauzer, who works behind the counter.”
ARTpool is certainly, as Marina says, about having fun every day. What’s great about this spot is how unpretentious and accessible the art is. You wear it. It’s a part of you—inextricable from you.
Of course, Marina has a unique, ever-circulating style of her own. “I love silk, barkcloth, polyester 60/70’s prints with dagger collars and high waisted cotton wide legged striped trousers,” says Marina. “But honestly I’m a chameleon. One day I’m in 60’s, one day 80’s, the next all black, then psychedelic flower pants…you might come in and think I’m a different person every time you visit…”
When I ask Marina what first time customers think of ARTpool, she cites the following: “This reminds me of the lower East side of NY in the 80’s and 90’s”; “How long has it taken to collect all this inventory?”; and the compliment Marina gushes most about: “Our City is so lucky to have you here.” At I Love the Burg, we couldn’t agree more with that last sentiment. 
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