Located in the heart of Midtown, Rewind Kingston offers a delightful collection of thrift, vintage and upcycled clothing, books and other items and donates part of its proceeds to support local mental health initiatives.

The small but vibrant store at 612 Broadway is owned and operated by longtime Kingston resident Joanne Flood, her husband Kevin and her three kids, Karlie, Jake and Sydney.

“None of us could do it without the help of the other,” said Joanne. “It's a family.”

Though the storefront only opened as Rewind last June, its family-centered history spans decades. For 30 years or so, Joanne’s aunt and uncle, Mary and Rich Williams, owned Ye Olde Book Shoppe. The store, filled to the brim with volumes — and Mary’s ample collection of Barbie dolls — also served as a community hangout. According to Joanne, who used to work at the shop, people gathered there to talk politics and watch parades going down Broadway. On some St. Patrick’s Days, the family cooked corned beef and shared it with people who came into the store.

After Mary passed away in 2019, Joanne bought the shop. A sixth-grade teacher at Bailey Middle School in years past, she said she’d never planned to operate a bookstore and wasn’t too sure what to do at first with the massive collection she had inherited. During the pandemic, she began selling the books on eBay.

Then tragedy struck. In November 2020, Joanne’s daughter Cassidy died at 19. Her long, painful battle with anxiety and depression did not dim her spirit in her family’s hearts. She was bold and kind — “the first to jump in the pool,” according to Joanne and “doing everything for other people,” according to Karlie.

In the wake of unspeakable loss, the Flood family found themselves pouring their energy into unexpected outlets. An English major in college and artist by hobby, Karlie began writing poetry, painting and making mixed-media art. Sydney developed an eye for thrifted fashion. The sisters and Joanne combined interests and began clearing space in the store for a vintage pop-up, with some of Karlie’s artwork included. Kevin and Jake began renovating the store as the collection of clothes grew. The idea for Rewind fell into place.

“This kind of has evolved from I guess all of our loss and trying to make sense and do something,” said Joanne. “We had to figure out a way to do something, how to kind of give meaning to what's going on in the world. That changed our outlook of locking the door and not letting anybody in to … let's be part of the community.”

Joanne saw the possibility to reopen the store as a community hub, not unlike Ye Olde Book Shoppe. With Sydney’s selection of new and vintage pieces, curated from Joanne’s buys at auctions, warehouses and online sales, the store also appealed to a younger generation.

In March 2022, the Floods wanted to do something for Cass’ 21st birthday. They decided to take a plunge into the Hudson River — it was just the sort of crazy thing Cass would do. But they also wanted to do something to raise money for mental health — more specifically, mental health support for young people. Finding an organization to donate to, however, was more difficult than expected.

“Sixteen to 25 are such tough years,” said Joanne. “And nobody really had anything.”

Eventually, Kevin’s sister told Joanne about a yoga instructor she knew who had just moved to the area and worked with United We Om, a non-profit organization providing affordable trauma-informed yoga and meditation for people of all ages. Jenny Jared, a founder and programming director for United We Om, intended to implement the program in Kingston and the surrounding areas. Joanne contacted Jenny about doing a fundraiser and set $1,000 as a goal. Then she got on social media and told her friends about the “Go All In” plunge.

She expected a few people to show up, but not the flood of friends and family that arrived at the shore of the Hudson on Cass’ birthday. “People just kept coming,” she said.

Slightly concerned, Joanne called the mayor to make sure the people on the beach didn’t exceed safety codes. The mayor promptly sent a fire truck and a boat to ensure swimmers’ safety. Half Moon Coffee and Donuts and Turn Up the Beet provided free hot beverages and açai bowls to the swimmers; Hudson Valley Impressions donated the “LoveCass” t-shirts, designed by Karlie and dedicated to Cass. In total, they raised a whopping $16,000 for United We Om.

“It was really an emotional day,” said Joanne.

The cold water was exhilarating, they said. “Everyone was smiling,” said Sydney. “A lot of people that didn't even think they were gonna get in just decided to.”

The Floods hope to do another cold water plunge this year for Cass’s birthday and find another mental health program to support. At the store, they continue to support United We Om by donating 10 percent of their net sales. In addition to thrifted and vintage items, Rewind carries earth-friendly t-shirts, totes, hats and more under the LoveCass brand. Karlie’s Reminder to My Future Self brand also sells postcards, prints, journals and other merch, and Jake has recently started designing his own t-shirts.

Rewind strives to be a welcoming outlet where mental health can be talked about openly.

“There's still that stigma,” said Joanne. “I feel it myself — I am slightly uncomfortable talking about it. But I can't not talk about it.”

According to the Floods, a lot of people who come into the store open up about their struggles or ask questions about mental health. At the same time, the store’s quirky selection and “fun vibe” creates a comfortable environment.

“It’s just a safe space,” Karlie said.

Rewind Kingston is open Wednesday-Friday 3-7 p.m. and weekends from noon-5 p.m. Visit them online at rewindkingston.com.