Rocket To Mars

Typical kitschy collection of things. Prices are as expected from a Kitsch store (1970s plate set that you can find in a thrift shop for 2 dollars, you will get there for 30). Since I am a fan of vintage stuff, I can appreciate the eye candy, but I know better than to spend my hard earned money there.

I’ve been shopping at Rocket to Mars for years and though I moved away to D.C. a couple of years ago, I make a point of stopping in here every time I come back to Providence.
Rocket’s always full of sweet vintage gems. The owner, Jen Ricci, does an amazing job of finely curating the collection so it’s easy to find something that you love every time you step through the door. I’ve also snagged some awesome furniture (my 1950’s black and gold glitter laundry hamper being my favorite) and lamps from Rocket over the years that I love to look at every day.
I can’t say enough wonderful things about Rocket and can’t wait until my next visit! :)

Being a fan doesn’t mean I am a big spender at RTM. Rocket to mars provides me with so much eye candy and collection aspirations, however it does remove one aspect of the vintage loving life in my opinion, the thrill of the find. The weekend days spent digging and browsing, hoping that the item comes to you. Rocket to Mars will promise you the item or something similar, if needed right then and now.
Their windows are works of art. They make drives and strolls down Broadway just that much better.

If you don’t take the time to rummage and find the real gems at low prices, somebody else will.
Then they’ll sell them for way more money here.
…but if that isn’t your style/​if you don’t know any better, go here.
Oh, also, the woman behind the counter didn’t even look up when I walked in. Thank you.
The 2 stars are for your enticing window displays.

Stopped in here to take a quick look around. If your looking for clothing– the lady across the street has better vintage clothes– but the trinkets were fun to look at. I’m originally from Arkansas and I was surprised to find a vintage ashtray shaped like the state of AR and had the rivers and some cities mapped on the back. I don’t smoke it I had to have it. It was priced $ 32 dollars and I asked if they would come down on the price. We agreed on $ 25 which I still felt was high but I wasn’t leaving without it. I later looked these ashtrays up online and found one for Texas and one for Iowa. Both selling for $ 16. So I felt a little ripped off. But at least I guess I helped a local business. The lady was friendly– the guy seemed like I was more of a bother. But that’s cool– I get the hipster thing I guess? Lol. I would go back. But I would research the item before making an offer on price.

I stopped in here on a recent visit to Providence. It’s got a nice selection of vintage and antique items, lots of quirky things. The store looks very ‘gen x’ curated, in that whomever’s eye is doing the picking came of age in the early 90s. Not a bad thing in my mind.
The prices here are about what I expect — slightly on the high side to maintain quality in the store. In other words, if everything were a steal, the store would be empty.
However there are some items which are a little ridiculous. There were a bunch of used CDs in a rack, nearly all from the 90s. I asked the price — $ 10 a piece. Not realistic at all. I politely passed.
I don’t know who the owner is, but the guy working at the counter when I visited had kind of an attitude — gruff, very ‘unimpressed.’ Seemed like an aged hipster with a chip on his shoulder.

Tasteful, funky fresh, clean and spunky shop with a little bit of everything. From the original Newport cigarettes logo ash tray, books, CDs, retro dance jackets, button up shirts, bags, shoes, toys and little tinkets. I love the selection here, clearly lots of love and thought put into the selection. However, since this is used gear the price is just slightly too high.
There is plenty of on street parking, credit cards are accepted and the location is ideal.

I no longer live in Providence and one of the things I miss most is Rocket to Mars! (I make sure to check them out every time they have a booth at Brimfield.) It’s an amazingly well curated store filled with gems! The prices are incredibly fair. Those who think otherwise may not realize how much time, energy and resources have to be devoted to finding, cleaning and researching EVERY amazing piece in the store. As someone in the vintage business myself I can assure you special mint condition merchandise like they have doesn’t just magically arrive at your door. It takes many hours on the road and a lot of know-​how and often a lot of cleaning and polishing. This store helped inspire me to be on the path I am today! I’m envious of everyone who lives close enough to visit it regularly.

This is the sort of place that gets me all verklempt when I walk in. The type of establishment I could only hope to operate some day. Rocket to Mars’ window displays are always dazzling and often humorous– with a bit a cheek and that’s only the start!
A lot of people have remarked on the prices of items here– they run the gamut but I think they are fair. I couldn’t believe I got two Adam Ant records and one Elvis Costello for $ 11! ((You’d be hardpressed to find those selections at your local thrift store, not to knock those though)) I also bought a glorioussss overly shellac’d (this being a good thing) wall hanging of kittens with a red bow… Lawddddy! It’s charming kitsch to the Nth degree– and just $ 16!
Also, the owner is extremely pleasant and very engaging. She even offered to play Adam Ant for me when I mentioned my delight over finding his records (she’s a fan too!).
In summary: You can’t go wrong with a charming as heck shoppe with a gaggle of ceramic poodles on display!

If you have been on Westminster Uptown, you know about Rocket to Mars. It’s impossible to miss with the amazing window displays that are constantly updated. Forget window shopping, these windows are like a street-​side art installation.
Such a cool place — definitely worthy of a stop. It’s more like a museum than a place to shop for me, though. I frequent vintage shops for the jewelry, and the selection at RtM is definitely lacking. They always have furniture that looks like it belongs in my dream house. Then I check the price tag and KNOW I’m dreaming.
The prices can be a little out there on some of the merchandise, and then surprisingly cheap for other things. My boyfriend’s mother was visiting and she was in the market for an accordion after hers met an unfortunate end. RtM just happened to have one for a steal, and she bought it. When she got it back to where she was staying at our friends’ in town, she discovered that it was not only too large for her to manage, but some of the buttons were stuck. She brought it back and there was absolutely no fuss about returning it.
Aside from the random accordion, RtM does have some cool and useful items, like fun cocktail glasses, cool kitchen items, and vintage patterns. If vintage clothing is your thing, this is definitely your stop. If you just want to gawk, you’re also in the right place.

I would give this place a 10 if I could. Many of my most treasured housewares were scored here. The owner (s) rock and are far from overly hip (only hip in the best way). Now that I live far away from Providence, I appreciate Rocket to Mars even more. Thrifting is great, but some people don’t appreciate great selection at a reasonable price. I love this place! I wish I could go there right now! I need more lamps!

A great retro /​vintage store in Providence.
Looking for some 1970’s apparel for a theme party. GOT IT.
Looking for some «blue heaven» china? GOT IT.
How about a McCall’s magazine. NO PROBLEM.
The point is the Rocket to Mars has vintage (notice I wrote vintage and not junk) from the 1920’s to the 1980’s. I tlaked with the owner and was fun and seems to really enjoy what she does.
Prices seemed fair. I like it!

Retro shopping at its best with an up charged price tag.
Honestly, compared to other used venues, the prices are on the steep side. I found a cute little tin jewelry box from the 60s for fifteen bucks: in fact the same exact name brand & item that I had literally, 100% truthfully purchased a couple months earlier from Goodwill for twenty-​five cents. The deal is, at first glance the prices appear reasonable as for many of the items, you could most definitely purchase their «modern» counterparts at similar prices or even more at let’s say, Target or so. What people forget at times, is that these items are old. Period. That plastic camera Rocket is selling for fifteen dollars? It’s not the same plastic camera Walmart is selling for twenty: it’s thirty years old. So what appears to be a steal in fact, may not actually be. Sure the quirky, fashionable little items may not come with the hefty tag you’d expect at any other urban boutique, but they’re still up charged. The cute handkerchiefs I plopped five bucks down for? I can easily find the same exact sort of item at Sally’s for fifty cents.
But.
Unlike going to Sally’s, Savers and Goodwill, Rocket does something special they are not able to: selectively organize and lay out the retro, happy finds that we’re all searching for, in one, condensed package. Yes, you are paying more for the items. However, consider that unlike scoring thrift shops for four hours to find the perfect curtains for your kitchen or for two hours to snag a lovely apron for a late night bake-​a-​thon, Rocket will have you zipping in and out with time to spare for a coffee stop. The difference you pay is a matter of convenience: with Rocket you know what types of items you’re having dished out as opposed to a mixed bag of other random things to search for. It’s also a guarantee that the glittery dress you bring home isn’t covered in fleas.
With that said, I liked Rocket. When I lived on Vernon I’d stop in frequently to pick up Christmas gifts and fun little items to decorate my apartment. The owner is a sweetheart and always happy and willing to answer any questions you have. Her storefronts are also delightful and it’s refreshing to see how much work she puts into everything.
Overall it’s a matter of preference and taste. While I’m certainly not opposed to thrift store digging at all, there are some times I’m in the mood to walk in and out for a specific vintage item, especially considering my busy schedule. If you have time on your hands and want to go on the traditional hunt with a budget, check out Savers, Goodwill & co. for fab, better deals. Otherwise Rocket isn’t a bad alternative and I guarantee you’ll have fun.

Wow that review by ‘Erin R’ is really obnoxious. Rocket to Mars is NOT expensive, nor is it even overpriced by thrift store standards. I’ve been in there a few times with my girlfriend and we’ve always found sometime fun, kitsch, quirky, retro, etc and I don’t think I’ve walked out of there spending more than $ 25 ever. Not to mention the owner is wicked low pressure, you can spend an hour in there looking at everything in the store and she won’t say a peep to you unless you ask her a question.

A friend who lives in Providence recommended Rocket to Mars when we were in town so we stopped in. RtM is not your usual thrift or vintage shop. It’s a very well edited collection of vintage stuff, mostly from the 60’s, but there’s some 50’s and 70’s as well. Everything from mid-​century modern furniture to an orange wall mount rotary telephone to very well picked mens and womens clothes, it’s all here, and all useful. And what’s key is that RtM isn’t cheesy, it’s less Austin Powers and more Jackie O, although there are certainly fun items here. Also everything seemed to be in really good condition, RtM doesn’t have a junk factor that many of these stores have. Prices ran the gamut and I thought the prices were reasonable, but not bargain basement. The person working (who I think was the owner) was very nice and helpful and my wife left with an awesome dress. RtM is a real find in Providence.

If you like retro shopping and have no concerns about how much things cost, shop here. But, if you are like me and love retro items and cannot afford to spend a lot, I suggest searching garage sales, thrift stores, and estate sales.
They do have a great selection at this store, but it is far too expensive and hip in my opinion. When I shop for items, I don’t care what the employee is wearing or what the last show they went to was. I just want a good deal.

Second only to What Cheer for excellent vintage shopping in Providence, as far as I am concerned. Rocket To Mars offers a carefully-​chosen collection of clothing, furniture, housewares, and gewgaws of all kinds and from numerous eras. I have never been unhappy with a single item I’ve purchased here, be it the metal containers decorated with strawberries that now reside in my bathroom, the retro flour, sugar, tea, and coffee canisters that sit on my kitchen counter, the 1926 portrait of an anonymous family that hangs in my living room, the medicine tin that I gave to my mother for her birthday, the children’s book on stamp collecting that I just had to have, or the lace slip that I occasionally wear under a black skirt, just for kicks. I also like the raucous punk rock that usually greets me when I walk in. The store stays closed for a couple of days every week, so check their hours before stopping by. Still, Rocket To Mars is definitely worth the stroll down Broadway after your visit to Julian’s or Seven Stars Bakery.