Electrix Vintage Builds Community and Defines Character at New Brooklyn Storefront

Danny Colon wants you to commit to the bit.

Last weekend, Founder and owner of Electrix Vintage, Danny Colon, opened a new store in a beautiful space located in the lovely community of Stuyvesant Heights. Colon, who has a background in the theater industry, which is evident in the stories he tells through his clothing, space, and business model, attracts long lines to the stores Brooklyn street.

Danny Colon, owner and founder of Electrix Vintage

Their new store, at 103 Stuyvesant Ave, offers racks of affordable curated collections, organized by clothing type and price points, along with vintage trinkets, digital cameras, accessories, and more. Electrix also offers fill-a-bag sales, where you can fill the provided tote bag full of clothes from their selection pile and only pay $10 for the whole tote and its contents.

While walking through the new store during their opening day, I saw families browsing, locals laughing, and friends gathering to support the new beginnings of Electrix’s Bed-Stuy location (needless to say, the vibes were immaculate).

After browsing and grabbing a bag myself, I sat down with Danny to chat about his inspiration behind the shop, the expectations of the new space itself, and the community he wishes to build through his growing business.

ANN TANKERSLEY: Electrix started selling in 2020. What do you think are the biggest changes you’ve made as a team to land you here 6 years later? 

DANNY COLON: Individualizing what we do rather than going with a group (in the industry). When we started our own independent pop-ups, that’s when we started to see results. There are logistics that can help us, but at the same time,

keeping the love for clothes number one always.

Prioritizing our curation, what we can get and where we get it, and keeping that all high quality at a fair price point.

For me, the joy of second hand is having “the find” without having to worry if you can afford “the find”. Changing our social media approach too… When I started being honest (on socials) and put myself forward, it built a bond with the customers and trust. People connect with us there and can see honesty and connect there. 

AT: You have a personal background in the theater industry and costuming. How do you think that manifests in the branding and processes of Electrix as a whole today?

DC: The throughline for costume was interesting because that’s how we started our rental business. That’s actually something that has grown our business too with promotion because people that pull those pieces will return for other (services) . Those things have led me to make more affordable choices for renters while maintaining our curation without having to pay $100 for a rental. Seeing what people make with that and their own art has not only pushed us forward artistically, creatively, and inspirationally, but sometimes you just see it and think, ‘wow, I love fashion’. This is why we do it, seeing how it’s used. There’s never not a benefit that has come out of connecting with other creatives in fashion and the arts. Art and fashion are so interconnected.

AT: Electrix offers many services from styling to costuming to sourcing, and of course, as a thrifting outlet. Did you start Electrix with all of these specialties in mind, or did one come from another? 

DC: Being a student [at] FIT and getting random changes bridged that, and sourcing just came from people asking. Finding our ways to aid the creative is what we’re always doing. The staff is all creatives, so we’re always finding ways we can open that door to someone and help someone out. Some seasons will be all costuming, others are all styling… I enjoy having it all and to play with it all.

AT: Your new storefront for Electrix Vintage opens today in Bed-Stuy. What do you want our readers and users to know about the new space and venture?

DC: We want creatives to connect with us and come to us with their creative ideas if they need a space. Hit us up people, we want you to be in here. Come in, talk, we are always here for it and open to collaborate.

This interview has been edited for length and clarity.

Check out Electrix Vintage: 103 Stuyvesant Ave, Brooklyn, NY. Open Fri-Sun 11 AM - 7 PM.

On Instagram at @electrixvintage, online at www.electrixvintage.com.

View upcoming events such as $10 Fill-A-Bag Sales, pop-ups and more events to come in the Summer at their linktree: Linktr.ee/shopelectrix.

Consume Everything, Synthesize Everything, Make Art: The Ideology of Zola Simone.

Zola Simone is a name you’re going to want to know in 2026. A Boston native turned Brooklyn local is bringing a completely new vibe to the queer music scene in New York City. Zola considers her genre of music to fall into the “Queer Pop” category, yet carries heavy notes of RnB in everything she creates. Zola has been perfecting her sound and musical platform since the age of 12, growing her foundations in Boston and carrying them with her back to NYC. I must say, they are doing an excellent job in showcasing their musical experience and tying it together with natural talent, creating something truly extraordinary. 

Photography by Isaac Wheatley

With over 20 singles, 4 EPs, and 2 full albums available on all streaming platforms, I asked Zola if she always knew music was something she was going to pursue career-wise. Her response is what all of us creatives hope to feel in one way or another: “I was recently asked this, what I would do if music wasn't an option, and I couldn't think of an answer. I can't see myself doing anything else but this”. In my opinion, this is what truly makes an unforgettable artist. Yes, you may hold love for other hobbies and niche interests, but someone who is entirely committed to the art they create and what they output into the world is one who deserves the recognition.

Photography by Isaac Wheatley

Luckily, Zola grew up around music and was surrounded by the encouragement of their loved ones to pursue music. This gave her an upper hand in getting involved in the music scene sooner than others. She mentioned that she had the opportunity to perform live at Boston’s top Pop radio station at the age of 10, just by being persistent with her need to perform. This then opened a door of opportunities for her. By 12, she was offered to be a part of Boston Music Project and their “Teen Empowerment” program. This gave young local artists a chance to collaborate with a recording company to record songs and music at no cost. This is what changed perspective for Zola Simone and reaffirmed her desire to pursue a career in music. 

New York City is home to millions of amazing artists and musicians, known and unknown, so why should we know Zola Simone? This is Zola’s response to that question: “Take away that you’re not alone, whatever you're feeling there is someone out there who understands you in some capacity. Music is needed and so important for mental health. I want them to know there is still hope and that human creativity is essential and inevitably inescapable. Music is about connection, community, and is a shared experience between the artist, music, and the audience. It is essential that we can all connect in some way and take away what we need from music.”  She carries this philosophy in her music and in how she writes her songs. When an artist can have the ability to create while also using factors of their environment to influence the art they produce, that is something to be paid attention to. 

Check out her two albums, Now You See Me and Kaleidoscope, available on all streaming platforms. My favorite song of hers is “Pirouette” off the Kaleidoscope album.Pirouette (Sped Up Version) be sure to give that a listen, I highly recommend! They have new music coming out this summer and are always finding ways to perform. Find them on all social media as @ZolaSimone. 

LIFE AFTER THE FLESH VESSEL

The numinous and harrowing nature of death dovetails multiple complex feelings. It’s an experience all existing beings experience from a third-hand perspective, then eventually firsthand. And because of its terrifying nature, people naturally seek comfort and answers to their curiosities, often met through various religious beliefs. Death isn’t an unusual or unique experience, but certainly a challenging one.

Through faith, humanity has tethered itself to an idea of what happens next, where life exists beyond the human body. 

Through observances and studies conducted by Science Array and BBC Earth, it’s been proven taxonomic classes beyond humans grieve. Mammals, such as Orcas hold their deceased calves for sometimes weeks, signaling deep grief within their pods. Whereas birds, perhaps the Magpie, will arrange grass aside their deceased companions, almost ritualistic. Insects even, bees for instance carry dead colony members outside the hive — many argue it’s for sanitary purpose, but many believe the behavior is a result of mourning. 

Dr. Jane Goodall researched chimpanzees both enthusiastically and rigorously. Her studies suggest chimpanzees mourn similarly to humans, indicating they might have their own sense of spirituality. The question remains an argument, of what comes next.

There is an estimated ~4,000 religions, which naturally divert historically; through wars and wages, beliefs and purpose. With beneficent, loving, and unforgiving deities. However, an integral purpose is to reach a higher sentience, relief, or for many - nothing. After interviewing various individuals with different religious and cultural backgrounds, the general synopsis garnered is to do better to live better after our passing. Though the foundation is similar, the qualifications for Heaven, Nirvana, Jannah - the tiers have complexities of their own. 

Paris Byron, a Pentecostal Christian has devoted plenty of her life to being a faithful Christian in the image of God. Similarly, Esteban Conde a practicing Catholic has a different life experience but still seeks the same benevolence from his faith and community. Paris believes “we have an individual, unique purpose given from God” which the soul leads. When death arrives, they collectively agree that there is an afterlife, an eternity in Heaven, that Hell is real, and purgatory is argumentative.

This is solely determined by God. 

Whereas from its Abrahamic relative, in Islam many principles overlap however after death souls enter Barzakh, an almost waiting room where judgement is conducted. Thereafter, Sama Arafat states “Allah is kind, forgiving, but you must be obedient and [your] moral conduct as a Muslim matters.” She shared that there are two primary places with multiple tiers in the afterlife, Jannah and Jahannam. Where each have individual dwellings depending on the severities of your sins,

and goodness of your soul. She believes punishment in the afterlife can be temporary, in lieu of eternal. 

On another scale, Ryusei Satō, who has spent nearly fifty years as a practicing Buddhist, has an entirely different perspective on purpose, divinity, and afterlife. “Are you tired? Of the worry you are constantly doing wrong, suppressing the natural rhythms of life?” Mr. Satō believes he has lived previous lives, and expects he might have a few more; considered Samsara. And until he reaches Nirvana (the end of all suffering and rebirth) he intends to live with liberation, courage and kindness. When we die, he believes consciousness continues into something else based on our karma. The Noble Eightfold Path is a framework that he follows, and he believes Buddhism is unique in a universal lens; meaning, it is not a religion exclusive to Buddhists. 

His longtime friend Dheer who associates himself with Hinduism, shares similar core values. Emphasizing “Atmnan” the eternity of the soul. That similarly, we continue to reincarnate until reaching Moksha, liberation from rebirth. He shares that similar to all religions, belief and values are argued over. “There are multiple Lokas, realms almost, that we land based on Karma.” Karma, which determines our next life’s journey, challenges, and circumstances. His is devoted, to both his faith and culture. 

Undoubtedly, faith is a result of nurture, whereas curiosity stems from nature. Living in a spectrum of goodness. It seems many individuals have an incredibly personal perception and journey with their God, Deities, and communities. Death, does not have to be terrifying, and faith can be an incredible extension that leaves people tender-hearted and kind.

No individual can escape its sticky grasp, and though painful and unfortunate, comfort lies within the fabric of faith.