Rosanna Cavanaugh has always been around the Region. She was born in Hobart. When she was in eighth grade, she moved to Valparaiso. She hasn’t stayed only in Indiana, however, having once moved to California for a short period. Nevertheless, she’s back in the Hoosier State today working at Picked Vintage, a local store that sells objects ranging from furniture to antiques.
Before she really attached herself to the role she’s now in, Cavanaugh worked as a surgical technologist for over 20 years at Northwest Health - Porter’s outpatient surgery center on Roosevelt Road. Surgical technologists are the healthcare professionals who assist doctors and surgeons during surgeries and other operations – helping them both ensure a sterile and organized environment – and with things as seemingly minor as preparing the right instruments.
Now, Cavanaugh has moved on from her days as a surgical technologist and is celebrating Picked Vintage’s fifth year in business. She works with seven other women, and for them, work isn’t just work; it’s an adventure. What’s on sale at their store are vintage items, but with some new items as well. There is a vast selection, so there are eclectic finds offered to patrons of Picked Vintage.
In her five years at Picked Vintage, Cavanaugh has discerned her favorite parts about the job. They have to do with the exploration required of her and her co-workers. She’s found there’s fun in exploring, and that’s something she realized some time ago. One of the best memories she has is searching for sought-after items through journeys she’s taken out into the world of yard-sales, resales, and the like. Arranging in the shop whatever she’s lucky enough to get her hands on is another one of her primary pastimes.
“I love going on the hunt for unique pieces. One of my favorite memories is my first estate sale ever, which is what we call a pick. Once we get the pieces from wherever, we enjoy arranging them nicely. We’ve gotten a lot of compliments on the arrangement of the shop and the way the decor is displayed,” she said.
Cavanaugh’s been all over the country to stores similar to Picked Vintage, yet she has never found one that looks exactly like the shop she helps to keep going here in Valparaiso. She gets inspiration from seeing and visiting these stores, though. The competition is there, and it keeps her on her toes. A big challenge she often runs into is getting beat by inches at estate sales as the hosts hand out numbers so everyone has a fair shot at attaining whatever they might find desirable. In regard to the business, she’s accepted that it’s all a process of trial and error; some things just sell better than others.
In the summertime, Cavanaugh keeps busy and runs a produce stand. She calls her operation The Stand, and she sells fresh, locally grown produce. It’s family-owned and has been operated with love for years now. It all began with her father, but by and by it turned itself over to her. She’s gotten to interact with countless people that way, and that’s another reason why she finds the gig great.
“My father came over to the U.S. as an immigrant, and he started a produce business when I was 5 years old, which was about 40 years ago. I would always watch him run his business, and eventually I got started in it,” she said. “I really like the thrill I get when meeting new people and working with the public. You get a good feeling when customers come in and actually appreciate what you’ve built up.”
In her free time, Cavanaugh takes her two dogs on hikes. They’ve been through Sunset Hill and have climbed up and down the Dunes. Lots of outdoor activities—everything from camping in the summers to cross-country skiing in the winters—keep her occupied. Indoors, she usually keeps herself occupied with a Peloton.
Being a part of the team at Picked Vintage has helped Cavanaugh figure out the things she likes most about residing and working in Valparaiso. For her, it all comes down to the community.
“I appreciate our community. They’re really appreciative, and I've never encountered any problems living in Valpo. The supportive community is what I think I appreciate the most about this place,” she said.