In this episode of Good News York, host Noah Chrysler sits down with Rocco Leone, the owner of Salt City Warehouse — a vintage clothing and antique shop located in the basement of the McCarthy Building in downtown Syracuse, New York. Rocco shares the story of how he got into vintage clothing, what it takes to run a retail store as a side business, and the philosophy behind curating a collection that spans nearly a century of American fashion.
Rocco traces his love of vintage back to 2020, when a coworker at Foot Locker introduced him to thrifting by showing up to work in incredible vintage T-shirts. What started as building a personal collection quickly turned into events, and eventually into a brick-and-mortar store that opened in September of the previous year. In just eight or nine months, Salt City Warehouse has attracted college students, Syracuse locals, and out-of-town visitors who stumble upon the shop and leave impressed by the aesthetic Rocco has built.
Throughout the conversation, Rocco breaks down what makes his store different — every item is handpicked, priced affordably, and chosen with longevity in mind. He describes the shop as something like a mini museum where customers can explore pieces from the 1930s through the 1990s, and where the experience of simply being in the space matters just as much as making a purchase. Rocco also shares some insider knowledge for aspiring thrifters, including how to spot a genuine vintage T-shirt using details like single-stitch construction, thick necklines, and made-in-USA tags — tips he says are the "secret sauce" for anyone just getting into the hobby.
The episode also covers Rocco’s approach to sourcing, which includes estate sales and house cleanouts, and the thoughtful way he thinks about giving old items a second life rather than letting them end up in a landfill. He shares a touching story about a woman who purchased a WWII-era souvenir pillow from the shop after recognizing the military base where she had met her late husband — a moment Rocco describes as a perfect example of why he does what he does.
Rocco also announces for the first time that Salt City Warehouse will be doubling in size starting July 1st, expanding into the space next door and giving customers even more room to explore. He reflects on what it means to run a business built on passion, and why — even when the work gets tedious — it rarely feels like a job.
Chapters:
0:00 — Introduction
0:27 — What is Salt City Warehouse?
4:27 — The history of shirt collars in the 1920s
7:48 — Instagram and word-of-mouth marketing
9:01 — Running the store doesn’t feel like work
13:14 — Sourcing from estate sales and giving clothes a second life
14:48 — Store expansion announcement (doubling in size July 1st)
15:56 — Passion is the driving force
17:22 — Secret sauce: how to spot a vintage T-shirt
20:51 — Thrift tips: tags, made in USA, and brand names to look for
22:31 — The souvenir pillow story
23:17 — Who shops at Salt City Warehouse?
25:24 — How to find Salt City Warehouse
25:41 — About Good News York and Click Stream Studios
Links & Resources
Good News York: www.goodnewsyork.com
Click Stream Studios: www.ClickStreamStudios.com
This episode is sponsored by Ads On The Go — a service that helps businesses get their advertising up and running quickly and efficiently. Learn more at www.getadsonthego.com
Good News York is a production of Click Stream Studios, located at 689 North Clinton Street, Syracuse, NY.
