Gabby Iuculano inside her new vintage clothing and boutique shop called Gi Threads, located at 106 Chautauqua Ave., Lakewood. Iuculano’s will host a grand opening of her new business starting at 10 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 7. P-J photo by Dennis Phillips

The unexpected death of Gabby Iuculano’s father has inspired her to follow in his footsteps.

Prior to “Busty” Sebastian Iuculano’s death in May 2019 at the age of 57, Gabby was on her way to playing soccer as a pre-med student for Mercyhurst University in Erie, Pa.

After her father’s death, however, Gabby wanted to stay close to home to help the family business, Iuculano Construction, so she switched sports and majors enrolling at Jamestown Community College to play basketball and now study business.

The entrepreneurial spirit that inspired Busty to start his own business in the late 1970s is still alive in the Iuculano family as Gabby will be starting her own business Gi Threads, a vintage clothing and boutique shop located at 106 Chautauqua Ave., Lakewood.

Gabby said along with vintage clothing that she “gives a new life to” through various methods like acid washing or by adding fabric, she will also be selling new designer inspired trendy clothing. Along with the clothing, there will be accessories like jewelry, sunglasses and shoes.

In a unique twist, Gabby opening her own business started when the COVID-19 pandemic shutdown activities like team sports. Because she was no longer able to continue playing basketball for JCC, she had extra time on her hands. During that time, Gabby started designing clothing and creating accessories like necklaces made out of buttons from designer clothes.

“One day I was like, ‘Why don’t I try this,”’ she said.

While pretty soon her friends wanted Gabby’s innovative clothing designs while she was also receiving request from Instagram followers who wanted to share in her fashion sense.

“I love seeing my customers happy. I’ve received a lot of positive feedback,” she said. “I’ve received so much support from the community.”

Now Gabby’s business is at a point where her home is no longer large enough, so it was necessary to open a brick and mortar location. She picked Chautauqua Avenue in Lakewood because of the foot traffic.

“It’s a block from (Chautauqua) Lake so it’s the perfect location, especially during the summer,” she said.

Gabby said her grand opening will be from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., with the first 30 people receiving a free gift. She also said customers who spend a certain amount will receive discounts, with $75 spent receiving 10% off, $125 in purchases will gain a 15% discount and $175 in items will lead to a 20% reduction.

Gabby said even though basketball practice has resumed and games are scheduled to be played at the start of next year, she still plans to bring new life to vintage clothes.

“I’m going to have to manage my time better, but this wasn’t something I was going to give up,” she said.

As far as her inspiration for starting her own business, Gabby said it’s her father, who is “smiling down” as she starts a new endeavor.

“He’s definitely my biggest role model,” she said. “He taught me you have to push for what you want.”

For more information, visit githreads.com or githreads on Facebook.