By Molly Snyder Senior Writer Published Aug 15, 2006 at 5:20 AM

It's been a decade since Tom Landre opened Jackpot, a vintage clothing shop in Riverwest. The business has changed hands a few times, but the wares have more or less stayed the same.

However, earlier this summer, Bik Wong and Eva Robar-Orlich passed the Jackpot torch to Orlando Bellamy and Kevin Pipkorn, and they plan to freshen up the shop's styles and hours.

"I know our store has had the reputation of never being open because the previous owners only were open two days a week, but we plan to be open every day from noon to 7 p.m.," says Bellamy.

Plus, the new Jackpot will feature more retro hip-hop clothing, like '70s track suits and sneakers, and will continue to sell vintage clothing from the '50s through the '80s. The store also has a small, but well-selected collection of memorabilia and household items.

"We will also carry some newer things as long as it's unique and could complement some of the more vintage things we have in the store," says Bellamy.

Although they plan to switch up the shop, Pipkorn and Bellamy decided to keep the Jackpot name because of its long history in the neighborhood and as a nod to the many people -- most of them friends -- who owned it before them.

Prior to opening Jackpot, Pipkorn worked for another vintage clothing shop -- Yellow Jacket, 2225 N. Humboldt Blvd. He will serve as the in-store contact and clothing expert. Bellamy will handle the business end, and will continue to work for the Department of Corrections in probation and parole.

Bellamy, who recently moved back to Milwaukee after living in Los Angeles, spent 10 years in the music publishing business. Milwaukeeans may remember him from the early '90s when he was a DJ for the Kali Tribe.

To celebrate the reopening of Jackpot, Pipkorn and Bellamy will host a grand opening party from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, Aug. 18, with a DJ at 6:30 p.m.

"What we call 'vintage' is ever-changing," says Bellamy. "Jackpot will reflect that."


Molly Snyder started writing and publishing her work at the age 10, when her community newspaper printed her poem, "The Unicorn.” Since then, she's expanded beyond the subject of mythical creatures and written in many different mediums but, nearest and dearest to her heart, thousands of articles for OnMilwaukee.

Molly is a regular contributor to FOX6 News and numerous radio stations as well as the co-host of "Dandelions: A Podcast For Women.” She's received five Milwaukee Press Club Awards, served as the Pfister Narrator and is the Wisconsin State Fair’s Celebrity Cream Puff Eating Champion of 2019.