Summer 2011

Vintage (Re)Visited By Becky Tyre

To sell vintage, you need a mix of something old and something new. Here’s the anatomy of a “vintage” display.

Cracker Jax in DeKalb, IL, began in 1984 as a vintage clothing store and has since transformed into the gift store it is today. A delight for the senses, Cracker Jax has cases of new and vintage jewelry, candles, oils, incense, unique greeting cards, books, antique and shabby chic furniture, art and one-of-a-kind treasures.

Retailer Lauren Woods uses vintage display units to really bring out the vintage goods she loves to stock in the store. Here a distressed, old, cream-colored hutch becomes a store fixture well suited for displaying a mix of treasures. Woods chose this primitive-style hutch for its scalloped shelf edges that give it a soft country charm. Surrounded by vintage display vessels of all sorts, the hutch displays candleholders, books and year-round ornaments.

(A) A birdbath is the base for a display of cupcake ornaments and a (B) vintage, tiered snack dish.

(C) A vintage pedestal bowl holds tiny, silver mercury glass ornaments.

(D) An old gold vanity mirror holds ceramic votive candleholders decorated with pieces of old jewelry.

(E) More tiny ornaments are contained in this three-section wooden box that would have originally been used for tools or utensils.

(F) An old trophy cup holds handmade felted ornaments.

(G) Another old mirrored tray is the base of a display for mercury glass pieces, silver snowflake goblets and mismatched vintage candlesticks.

(H) A tall, white wrought iron plate rack makes a nice book stand.

(I) Nestled inside the open hutch base are old light fixtures. The holes that used to house the wiring are the ideal size for taper candles.

(J) An old, velvet-covered necklace display is the right height for showing off a collection of men’s neckties from the 1940s.

Becky Tyre

Becky Tyre is the senior trends editor for GIFT SHOP Magazine and the owner of the Retail Details blog.