Though Community Vintage is only celebrating its first anniversary, owner Sanni Baumgaertner is no stranger to the vintage clothing scene in Athens.

Community Vintage had a tough time breaking in to the downtown shopping scene. But it succeeded, and is now celebrating its one-year anniverary. MEGAN SWANSON/Staff

“I had already been selling vintage clothing around town for several years at Minx and Agora,” she said. “Then I decided I wanted to branch out on my own.”

An Athenian by way of Germany, she has fully embraced the culture of Athens in her store.

“We’re very community oriented,” she said. “A big part of our store is locally made items.”

Anna Harms, Social Media Intern, said that Community is all about “focusing on the local movement. Everything is geared towards that.”

Like all new businesses, however, getting started was no easy task.

“The first year is always the most difficult hump to get over,” said associate Lera Lynn. “The hardest thing was spreading awareness without blatant advertising.”

But the store survived — and thrived.

“We’re celebrating that we’re still around in this tough economy,” Baumgaertner said. “We wanted to have a party with the people that have been supporting us through our first year.”

On Friday, they will be having a party from 4-8 pm that will have refreshments from the Heirloom Café, Big Sky Bread and Silver Lining Cupcakes. Throughout, there will be a 20 percent discount on everything in the store.

There will also be a drawing that includes a styling party, gift cards and coupons as well as a small fashion show previewing this season’s latest trends.

The festivities will take a breather for Saturday’s game day, but will continue on Sunday.

“On Sunday we’re going to a do a model search with Ian McFarlane,” Baumgaertner said. “He’s a local photographer that does a lot of fashion photography.”

The celebratory atmosphere may only last the weekend, but it reflects Community’s growing place in the community at large.

“We got started as just a straight-up vintage store, but it’s evolved into something very different,” Baumgaertner said. “It’s become a great community.”

COMMUNITY ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION

Where: Community Vintage

When: Friday 4-8pm; Sunday noon-4pm