This week, Christine sits down with Mindy Cawley, the owner of Vintage MC in Frederick, Maryland. They discuss Mindy's journey from farm life to running a successful vintage shop specializing in mid-century modern furniture and retro items. They explore the vibrant local support for Small Businesses in Frederick, thanks to initiatives like the Downtown Frederick Partnership and the Main Street Program. Mindy highlights the thrill of community events such as the 'Sailing Through the Winter Solstice' fundraiser, where decorated boats, including her own 'Dancing Queen 2.0,' bring light and joy during the winter. The conversation touches on balancing business and family life, the humor of family involvement, and the bittersweet aspects of dealing with empty nest syndrome. Mindy shares her gift for staying ahead of trends, the strong support in her community, and the joy of connecting with customers through her love for vintage and retro decor.

00:00 Introduction and Menopause Meal Plan Info
00:57 Meet Mindy Cawley from Vintage MC
01:21 The Story Behind Vintage MC
02:07 Expanding the Vintage Shop
03:19 Trends and Popular Items
13:03 The Charm of Downtown Frederick
14:24 Support for Local Businesses
16:35 Main Street Programs and Grants
21:34 Upcoming Trends and Holiday Plans
24:10 Winter Fundraising with Sailing Through the Winter Solstice
24:28 Decorating Boats for Charity
25:49 The Dancing Queen 2.0 Project
26:11 Holiday Preparations and Hustling for Donations
26:38 The Challenges and Joys of Small Business Ownership
27:38 Creative Fundraising Ideas
37:12 Reflections on Empty Nest Life
43:10 Favorite Local Eateries
44:35 Where to Find Mindy and Vintage MC

• Follow Christine Van Bloem on Instagram @theemptynestkitchen and on Facebook @emptynestkitchen
• Learn more about Menopause Meal Plans
• Sign up for my FREE 10 Essential Tools for the Empty Nest Kitchen
• Check out Vintage MC!

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Christine Van Bloem Chef/Teacher

Hi! I’m Christine, and I’m super stoked to be cooking, writing, and helping everyone sink into to a better life. If you’re looking for healthier recipes for one and two, or want to add more delightful cocktails into your repertoire, you’re in the right place.

My philosophy is simple:

It’s a meal, not a mortgage.

Real food is the most important factor in good cooking.

If you’re going to drink, drink in moderation and always drink the good stuff.

I’ve been teaching cooking for a long, long time, and I am still excited to cook, teach, and share with you. If you’ve got a question, I’ll work hard to give you an answer so that you’re better and more confident in the kitchen. Hey, it’s a meal not a mortgage, so there’s nothing to stress about and only fun to be had.

With a heart attack in 2020, loss of my brick & mortar cooking school business of 15 years, broken bones, and even my husband having a stroke, and all within just a couple of months, I've been through it! BUT, I’m a lucky gal with endless support and a deep gratitude for everything that I do have. It’s not always easy, but I’m working to make sure that it stays fun.

Post heart attack, I’m reforming my butter-loving, heavy cream worshiping ways by making changes to how I cook, taking things in a healthier direction, without doing a complete 180 and still keeping things flavorful and delightful. The key here is healthier. I’m not afraid of butter, but I’m using a touch instead of stick. A tablespoon or two of cream or half-and-half, not a cup, and so on and so forth. And now that the kids are grown and living lives on their own, I’m re-learning how to cook for two.