Mingling Memorabilia

September 20, 2024

Words by Gloria Gale

Add character to your space with vintage, heirloom or antique pieces.

et bygones be bygones? Not so fast. Sotheby’s billion-dollar bottom line is soaring. Hordes watch Antiques Roadshow with rapt attention, and the likes of Martha Stewart and Joanna Gaines aren’t afraid to prop their celebrity status on remnants from yesteryear. Stewart trail-blazed her brand of lifestyle aesthetic using heritage antiques. Gaines dusted off her farmhouse decor and popularized chipped white paint.

Meanwhile, cultural icons like American Pickers showcase the determination and grit to discover a remarkable vintage find.

Given our fascination with relics of bygone days, it’s unsurprising that there’s a deeply rooted collective link to memorabilia—a shared reverence for historical treasures connecting us to our own past. Defying any preset rules, the art of decorating with antiques enhances character in a room, giving us a reason to blend the old and new. Simply put, we love “stuff” with a story.

“Stuff,” being broadly defined, is anything that connects us to the past. Call it what you may—vintage, heirloom or antique—the genre is broadly categorized by items over 100 years old. Think of great-grandmother’s dough bowl, a burlwood humidor still infused with the scent of pipe tobacco or a turn-of-the-century French tip plate. Memorabilia taps into kinship, curiosity and personality.

Sometimes you need a sounding board on how to find the right balance between the well-worn and the cutting-edge. Susan Righter, an ASID practitioner and Certified Kitchen and Bath Designer (CKBD), specializes in that kind of personalization.

“Using antiques and family heirlooms creates a sense of story and depth within a space,” she explains. “Combining older pieces with newer ones allows one to experience variety. What emerges is a unique, collected whole with a nod to the past.”

If you’re ready to start the sleuth, here’s what some local purveyors have in store.

Urban Mining Vintage

A well-curated, one-of-a-kind (and once-a-month) experience.

In the heart of Kansas City’s urban core is one doozy of a vintage collection. Co-owners Susan Hartnett and Heather London fill their space to the rafters with antique curiosities. They’ve selectively pioneered the art of a singular vintage-shopping experience on First Friday weekends. London and Hartnett, both lovers of the hunt, understand that discovering the ideal art, decor, prized and precious items for their clientele is an adventure in and of itself.

Urban Mining Vintage is housed in a warehouse with ample space to delight the eye at every turn. The owners are keen on using a community-based approach to satisfy those seeking unique inventory. An amazing team of more than 40 creative entrepreneurs repurposes, recycles and renews everything here.

Open only once a month, the shop’s items are curated and sell out quickly. Get there early if you want to meander and snag any curios that catch your fancy.

3111 Gillham Road, Kansas City, Missouri
@urbanminingvintagekc

Pear Tree Design & Antiques

Transporting antique aficionados across the pond.

Cindy Barnhill, owner of Pear Tree Design & Antiques, knows her business. For more than 20 years, Barnhill has used her expertise to market her Crestwood shop’s inventory of fine European antiquities. Even before you open the front door, the picture windows tell a charming story, capturing the attention of passersby with enticing vignettes of unique items begging to be further examined.

Once inside, the stroll around gives the impression that these items have a history—nothing ready-made.

Not only does this shop display delightful furnishings and garden elements—birdbaths, metal tools, terracotta, et cetera—but the patina alone is worth a look and touch.

“As with most of the inventory, our antiques make any interior distinctive,” Barnhill says. “We love to add that layer of warmth to a modern/contemporary home, and one way is with antique mirrors. They tell a story, create a perfect balance of old and new and, yet, do not detract from the clean lines modern homeowners desire.”

303 East 55th Street, Kansas City, Missouri

@peartreeantiqueskc

Afternoons

A jewel box of a shop.

Addison Ford and Jaclyn Joslin, the co-owners of Afternoons, warmly welcome you to the antique district at 45th Street and State Line Road, where a trove of timeless treasures awaits.

“I think Kansas City is having a moment, at least when it comes to decor that utilizes vintage items,” they say, both pros at blending the old with the new. “Our goal is to make a room stand out from the ordinary,” Ford adds.

Their intimate shop showcases a deft hand with furnishings styled into vignettes.

“We design and refresh our inventory on a regular basis. We’re constantly scouting various places, whether it’s an attic, basement, garage or eBay. If something is unique, we will find a place for it,” Ford says.

The trip to the quaint shop in the antique district is reason enough to visit, but best make it a day—or afternoon—to peruse all this charming shop has to offer.

4504 State Line Road, Kansas City, Kansas

@shop_afternoons

Woodson Antiques & Interiors

An exploration of American history and heritage.

Should anyone ask, an outing to Raymore, Missouri, is an adventure. There’s just something about shopping for antiques in a Civil War-era home that heightens the anticipation. And that’s precisely what you’ll find as you pull up to this authentic, storied house.

Owner Blake Craghead knows antiques, and he’s filled the circa 1861 home with one-of-a-kind finds that he personally selects on his excursions to the European continent.

“French, English [and] occasionally Italian tables, chairs, bureaus and armoires, among other decorative arts, are on display,” he says.

The silky feel of a fruitwood desk or polished oak secretary awaits your perusal, ready to be added to your wish list.

When the yearning overtakes you, add this lovely place on the outskirts of town to your antique-hunting agenda.

318 West Walnut, Raymore, Missouri

woodsonantiques.com

Glenwood Antique Mall

A one-stop shop where the vintage mingles with the new.

For many Overland Park residents familiar with the good-old days, the name “Glenwood Theatre” conjures up fond memories. The original Glenwood has closed, but Kirsten Rowland decided it was a perfect fit—and namesake—for the antique mall she opened in 2020.

“It was a dream to own an antique shop since I always loved going with my mother as a child,” she reminisces.

The antiquing bug is still thriving, witnessed firsthand in her mall, bustling with more than 220 vendors who love to cull through the milieu to design their booths with flair.

The rewards are enticing to those who fancy this time-honored pastime. Fine jewelry, high-end furnishings and beloved finds are all there, waiting for patient pickers.

“We even have dealer ‘work nights’ when we encourage our vendors to clean and refresh their space,” Rowland says. “It gives them a chance to revamp their treasures.”

So put on your high-heeled sneakers—it’s time to be selective and enjoy the hunt.

9030 Metcalf Avenue, Overland Park, Kansas

@glenwoodantiquemall

SID & Company by M. Sudermann

On point and at your service!

According to Mark Sudermann, owner of his namesake interior design business, “There’s a soulful history about antiques that instantly adds an element of sophistication, character and warmth to a home.”

He prefers to layer old and new items, which always gives the interior a sentimental feeling akin to being collected over time rather than overnight. Antiques are all about celebrating family history or creating a new legacy for yourself. And, with the added benefit of sustainability, antiques offer a form of recycling, preserving what is good about the past with modern-day elements.

“In my business, we love mixing a little modern with antiques, playing them off each other to add a depth of character and warmth which is unachievable with modern pieces alone.”

21 West Gregory ***new location, Kansas City, Missouri

@sidandcompany

Slater St. Antiques

A wistful callback to yesteryear, curated by a collectible-loving Swiftie.

Shop owner and avid Taylor Swift fan Sara Garcera is no stranger to the business of antiques.

“My parents own the largest antique center in Whittier, California. So, when I decided to follow in their footsteps, I wanted a smaller model in a completely different location and opened Slater St. Antiques—only 30 vendors rent booths from me,” she says. “Prices for inventory are affordable and, unlike other malls, we are located in a charming 1920s house that’s been converted into an antique store.”

To further distinguish her shop, Garcera also has two very large murals: a vintage KC skyline and a retro, Swiftie-inspired drive-in theme. She proudly states her vendors work their own booths, source their items from all over, and price their wares appropriately and affordably.

“It’s a lot more work than most people realize, but I try my best to have vendors who truly care, want to make an effort, make their booth look great and are passionate about antiques and all things vintage.”

When she hears customers say, “Hey! I remember that growing up!” or “My mom had a dining set just like that!” she says, “Honestly, the items made back in the day were built to last. It’s quality over quantity.”

5905 Slater Street, Merriam, Kansas

@slaterstantiques

Bee and Thistle

Scottish heritage and a love of beekeeping distinguish this namesake venture.

Bee and Thistle is a head-turner you can’t miss, housed in an imposing Queen Anne-style brick building near downtown St. Joseph, Missouri.

As dedicated preservationists, co-owners Joel Barnes and Olin Cox saw this 1889 brick beauty and couldn’t look away. With its copper dome and intricate architectural embellishments, they decided the building had to be restored. They took on the job with clear intentions to house Bee and Thistle and its sister store, Provisions—a complementary duo of jam-packed shops. Provisions offers culinary-centric accoutrements for entertaining and dining. Meanwhile, Bee and Thistle is the consummate gift destination featuring home decor, British woolens, a slew of goods with a European flair and accessories for women. The two specialty boutiques are designed to delight with a highly curated selection. “Looking for a unique gift? Look no further,” Barnes says.

1137 Frederick Avenue, St. Joseph, Missouri

@beeandthistleshop

200Main Vintage

Armchair shopper? Click and link to this online shopping experience.

If you want something done and done right, be sure to ask a woman—or in this case, two.

This notion plays to a large audience who has pushed entrepreneurs Tobe Reed and her mother, Phyllis Asbury, into the heights with their online vintage marketing site, 200Main.

Partnering with Chairish, the largest online marketplace where designers and tastemakers shop for exceptional home furnishings, art, jewelry and accessories, their mother-daughter story is relatable and a rousing success.

Blossoming not only online where collectors and design enthusiasts appreciate the exclusivity and history behind each piece, 200Main has recently moved into a brick-and-mortar shop where—once a month only—customers can peruse the rows of one-of-a-kind treasures in person or easily click and anticipate their next bargain. “At the moment, we’re filled with home decor and have a great selection of furnishings, especially chairs!” Reed says.

7341 W. 97th Street, Overland Park, Kansas

chairish.com/shop/200main

@200mainvintage

Asiatica

Sourcing world-class Chinese and Japanese goods for the discerning customer.

Once you’ve shopped at Asiatica, Elizabeth Wilson’s exclusive retail establishment, you’ll see your wardrobe and home in a whole new light.

The reasoning is simple: you’ll be hard-pressed to find her unique selection of Far East objets d’art and vintage Japanese fabrics anywhere else.

Since 1977, Wilson has been traveling to Japan to select one-of-a-kind garments and other luxurious textiles, vintage Japanese kimono fabrics and exceptional accessories—all irresistible. Wilson directs her team to fashion exactly what her customers envision, resulting in heirloom-quality pieces designed exclusively for each customer.

Equally exquisite is Asiatica’s collection of imported accessories, artwork and antiquities—all sourced from Wilson’s travels. Her worldly knowledge and taste ensure you will find her collections spot-on and enchantingly authentic.

4824 Rainbow Boulevard, Westwood, Kansas

@asiaticakc

Else-Wares

Whimsical retail therapy in storied small-town setting.

“Our shop is called ‘Else-Wares’ because we hope you’ll feel transported ‘elsewhere’… to other times and other places when you walk in the door. Welcome in!” This is exactly what owner Brittany Romero intended when styling her Weston shop.

Look at the exterior and see that vintage appeal from the past beckoning window shoppers inside. Romero chose Weston as her location because of its historical charm. She and husband Rob are now invested in the community.

“I love Weston, and the appeal of a historic building to house our vintage marketplace is ideal,” she says.

Else-Wares encourages a leisurely experience perusing the old and new. The books and barware alone would make a satisfying trip, but stay awhile and soak in all this charming storefront has to offer. Then stroll down Main Street when you’re finished—more shopping and ambiance of yesteryear await.

414 Main Street, Weston, Missouri

@elsewaresweston