Kissing Whiskey Vintage began in 2019 as an Etsy shop and a side hustle built out of curiosity, sustainability, and a deep love of thrifting. What started as reselling quickly evolved into something much bigger. It’s now a creative platform rooted in community, storytelling, and cultural elevation of Salt Lake City’s artistic community.
Over the past 7 years, Kristen has grown Kissing Whiskey from an online resale project into a multifaceted creative business spanning curated retail, large-scale events, consulting, and community programming. She has produced over 100 pop-up markets, themed dance parties, and variety shows, collaborating with dozens of artists, performers, and small businesses across the Salt Lake Valley.
Kissing Whiskey exists to build spaces where fashion, art, and community intersect. It champions sustainability in an industry overflowing with excess, elevates queer and femme-forward creativity, and believes that retail can be both commercially viable and culturally meaningful.
Today, Kissing Whiskey Vintage serves as Kristen’s creative direction and consulting arm. She partners with small businesses, venues, and founders to develop go-to-market strategies, brand storytelling, event concepts, and operational systems that scale. With a background in project management and customer experience, she approaches creative work with structure, analytics, and long-term thinking.
The work continues to evolve. Expanding into AI-informed retail strategy, knowledge systems, and technology-forward approaches to commerce, but the foundation remains the same: use what already exists, build thoughtfully, and create space for people to feel seen.
Whether through a vintage garment, a sold-out dance floor, or a strategic brainstorming session, the goal is consistent:
Build something that lasts.
Build something that connects.
Build something worth showing up for.
Femininomenom - All Ages Dance Party
Grand Opening of Vintage Drift SLC
Decorative glass with intricate gold and black detailing.
Utah Pride Festival barriers pushing some to organize their own Pride Festivities
Vintage silver microphone on a table with a blurred background of green plants and a neon sign.
Two brass and mother-of-pearl candlestick holders, with a pink salt lamp and a blue pot holding a plant, sit on a round marble table next to a stack of coasters.
Anchor Hocking Fire King Kimberly Coffee Mugs
Two ornate amber glass goblets on a white ledge with a mountain and cityscape backdrop at dusk.
Performer in a blue dress interacting with an enthusiastic audience on stage under colorful lights.
Close-up of green gemstone stud earrings on a soft textured surface.
Vintage clothing store interior with colorful clothes on racks, various footwear, a mural with desert scenery, and a mannequin wearing a denim jacket and hat.
A vibrant and diverse crowd watching a performer in pink lighting at a lively event, with people in various outfits capturing the moment on their devices.
Red Hawaiian shirt with colorful floral pattern hanging on a wooden hanger.
Two blue glass goblets and a gold beaded necklace on a wooden table.
Vintage teal suitcase with handle on wicker chair.
Ceramic table lamps with desert and abstract patterns on a dark wooden surface, against a corrugated metal background.
Green glass candle holders and a crystal decanter on a silver tray.
A variety of colorful clothing on a rack, with a prominent long blue lace dress in the center.
Noritake Perspective
Two performers on stage, one in a sparkling dress holding a microphone and smiling, the other in a colorful outfit with a glittery fan, under stage lighting.
Sunset over Joshua Trees in a desert landscape with blue sky and orange horizon.
Glass of whiskey beside a crystal decanter on a wicker surface, with a silver ring in a black gift box, and a potted plant in the background.
Vintage Uranium glass glows under UV Light
Two amber-colored cut glass tumblers in front of a decorated Christmas tree with lights and ornaments.
Scenic desert landscape with red-flowered cactus, shrubs, and rocky cliff in the background.
Assorted vintage glassware and brass candle holders, including red and clear glasses, displayed with a tag labeled "Kissing Whiskey Vintage."
Hand holding a decorative ceramic mug with colorful geometric patterns. Background includes vases and a table lamp with a corrugated metal surface.
Blue and white porcelain vase with floral design on a wooden surface, next to a ribbed glass item and a framed artwork in the background against an orange wall.
Baked blueberry cake in a white and yellow ceramic dish with a portion missing, sitting in an oven.
Person holding a vintage brass plate labeled "Pocket Change" outside a store with a "Vintage Drift SLC" sign and a rainbow painted on the window.
Person smiling in front of colorful mural with clothing racks in a store.
Cozy living room with blue vintage tufted couch, gallery wall of art, potted plant, vase with flowers, decanter with whiskey, whiskey glass on black coffee table, patterned curtain, wooden floor.
Decorative shelf with a stained glass mirror, candles, glass decanter, wooden tulips, and a crystal geode.
Shelves displaying framed cat art, ceramic cat figurines, ceramic dishes with floral patterns, blue glass cups, vintage food tins, a white teapot, and assorted kitchenware.
Person holding a blue ceramic teapot with a colorful floral mural in the background and Halloween-themed items visible.
Vintage lamps on a wooden table, including a blue glass lamp with a beige shade, a sculpted ceramic lamp base without a shade, a black cat figurine, and a ceramic rooster on a shelf nearby.
Art and decor display with a brass duck sculpture, framed illustrations, books, wine glasses, and artwork on a tabletop in a shop.
Wooden bench with storage drawers and decorative cushion, set against a colorful floral mural wall.
Two vintage amber and red cut glass goblets on a wooden table
Decorative table display with a teapot, glassware, gold cat statue, and jewelry.