By Shayna Mace

Not many people can say that becoming legally blind — then having their sight miraculously restored by a double cornea transplant — inspires their work. That’s what makes Denise Zajac’s story one-of-a-kind — just like her shop, Circa.

During those harrowing years, Zajac says, “my world [that was] once full of color, design and fashion was now a hazy white.”

Zajac, once an executive at Saks Inc., left the big-box retail world to work in finance and concurrently opened her own vintage shop in Chicago. In 2023 she closed her Chicago boutique, moved to Lake Geneva and opened Circa.

Her “bohemian luxury” shop specializes in vintage Levi’s jeans and shorts; vintage, high-end clothing; pre-owned luxury handbags and costume jewelry; and Indian silk pieces. The silk line in particular is special: Zajac hand-selects the Indian silks, designs each piece (caftans, tops, dresses) and a friend manufactures the line for her.

“The colors and patterns represent joy to me. I am so happy that my designs appear to bring joy to others,” she says.

237 Broad Street, Lake Geneva | www.circathestore.com