Our Story
Hey There! I’m Gina!
Hello! I’m Gina Campbell, owner of 1889 Salvage Co. My official title is Proprietor and Vintage Enthusiast. I never in a million years thought I would ever be an entrepreneur. One day in 2016 after a hard year running a non-profit that put on a huge event, I had a moment when I felt like Wonder Woman – complete with gold bracelets and invincibility. An entrepreneur was born. I figured Wonder Woman would start her own business so why not me? It’s been five years since that monumental decision and it has been a blast.
The store’s name came after more than a few beers at a local watering hole. The 1889 pays homage to the year of the Great Fire in Spokane, where 40 blocks of downtown Spokane were burnt to the ground. 1889 is also the year that Washington became a state. Salvage seemed like a great way to describe my passion to rescue old things and give them new life. The Co is for company because I do not do this alone. 1889 Salvage Co only happens with my great vendors who add to the look and feel of the store and to the wonderful customers who have become friends over the last half decade.
One of the things I’ve learned as a business owner is that it can’t just be about business. When I look at the brands I admire like Newman’s Own, Ben & Jerry’s and Mrs. Meyers – they all have a mission to give back. We give back by leveraging our events to fundraise, we donate items to charity events to help them raise money, we loan items to community groups, and we sell gear for non-profits like Rescue4all at no cost to them. Doing something that is bigger than just selling our products and services brings that much more meaning to our business.
In September of 2021, 1889 Salvage Co celebrated our 5th year anniversary! Come check us out, shop and celebrate!