Denton County Magazine • May June 23 • Shopping

The Les Muses Vintage store has its roots in Dawn Gaston’s childhood, when she loved trying on her mother’s clothes.

“Some of my most treasured memories are of my sister, Denise, and I playing dress up in my mom’s Lucy dresses with the full skirts, her pointed stiletto heel shoes and sparkling jewelry,” Gaston said. “I suppose I still love to play dress up.”

Denton’s downtown was the best place for the store, as the historic square has a rich history of cool establishments. Gaston, a North Texas native, owns twin enterprises, Les Muses Antiques and Les Muses Vintage, which are an easy walking distance from one another.

With a classic 1960s stylized design, the vintage clothing store’s interior is charming and cozy and brings shoppers the feel of an earlier era. For Gaston, this is all by design. “I wanted the store to be reminiscent of the small department stores that were popular years ago,” she said.

As the years pass, the concept of “vintage” constantly evolves. Already, the 1990s are a bygone era, so shoppers find a healthy selection of that decade’s grunge-inspired threads alongside garments dating to the 1940s.

Sustainability also is important to Gaston. Clothing and furniture from years ago typically were made of richer materials that have contributed to the items’ longevity. “We’re very selective in the merchandise we offer,” Gaston said. “Everything is clean, pressed and ready to wear off the rack.”

Those visiting the antiques store find an eclectic mix of treasures. Some pieces are more than 100 years old. Of particular note is a complete Eastlake-style bedroom suite that dates to the early 1880s, a French Louis XV marble-top parquetry commode from the 1800s, and a table created using a sliding barn door that was constructed with hand-cut square nails.

Additionally, the store has an emphasis on the first half of the 20th century, with items such as 1930s chaise lounges, and mid- century modern furnishings from the 1950s to 1960s. For those shoppers who may be hesitant to enter an antiques shop, Les Muses offers a variety of “mantiques,” which typically appeal more to men, such as tools, cameras and militaria. Gaston also has indicated an interest in adding more architectural items to the store’s inventory.

The store adds to the square’s hip and historic vibe. “I felt that it was time that downtown had an antiques store on the square again,” Gaston said.