Work should be fun.
At least that’s how Caren “Ooollee” Bricker sees it.
“I’ve done some hard jobs, and I’ve done some serious jobs as long as I can have fun,” said Bricker who is now in her dream job as the owner of Vintage Ooollee, a costume and vintage store on Broad Street, a shop she’s owned since May 2008.
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When they cease to be fun, she knows it’s time to move on.
Among her jobs before owning her shop were as a carpet pattern designer for Milliken, a graphic designer for a cable company and computer bookkeeping.
Owning a vintage boutique though has always been a dream of hers.
“I’ve always loved vintage clothing,” she said.
The store is divided into two sections. One half of the store is devoted to vintage clothing with some vintage reproductions. Vintage pieces date to the 1800s. She has a wide selection of vintage hats and some accessories.
The other side of the store has costumes, many of which were part of Fat Man’s costume shop.
She also stocks stage makeup, hosiery and costume jewelry.
Theater groups and performers in the Augusta areas are her main customers on the costume side, but she does rent them to the general public.
Some of the more memorable costume requests have been for a circus themed wedding and providing parasols for a steampunk wedding. One of the largest shows she costumed was for “Legally Blonde: The Musical” when it was performed at Fort Gordon Dinner Theatre.
“They had to bring in trailers to have enough dressing room space,” she said.
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Not only does she rent the costumes, but she does alterations on them as needed.
Bricker said she is having fun with her current job.
“I love costuming people. It lets me really use my creative side,” she said.
Vintage Ooollee’s COVID-19 hours are noon to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. Costume fittings are by appointment.
For more information, call (706) 724-1591.
Charmain Z. Brackett is the Features Editor for The Augusta Press. Reach her at charmain@theaugustapress.com
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