If you've been following along, you know I recently built an entire pottery collection in three weeks from vintage and antique shops around the Twin Cities. That post got me thinking — because pottery is just the beginning. The real magic happens when you start hunting for furniture.
I've been sourcing vintage furniture for clients for years. I also do it for myself, constantly, because I genuinely cannot walk past a good chair. Over time I've developed a very specific list of shops I return to again and again — shops with real inventory, real character, and real value. This is that list.
Before You Shop: What to Look For
Frame first, always. A beautiful frame with terrible upholstery is a gift — you're getting the hard part for free. Reupholstery is expensive but it's recoverable. A bad frame is not.
Buy the pair. Two matching chairs, two nightstands, two lamps — pairs command a premium but they earn it. When you see a matched pair, you buy it. You don't come back for it.
Check for wobble. Sit in the chair. Push on the joints. A little wobble is fixable; a lot of wobble is a problem. Check for cracks in any chrome or wood joints before you commit.
Don't fear reupholstery. Some of the best bones are hiding under terrible fabric. A good mohair or velvet in a deep tone can transform a $40 chair into something extraordinary.
Walk it twice. I say this every time and I mean it every time. Walk the store once to warm up your eye, then walk it again. You will always find something on the second pass that you missed on the first.
Saint Paul
Succotash Great chairs and small tables, amazing art and smalls, and some of the most reasonable prices you'll find anywhere. A great first stop for anyone just getting into vintage furniture — low pressure, high reward.
Mid Mod Men As the name promises, this is mid-century modern done right. Amazing lamps, sofas, chairs, sideboards, desks, art, and pottery — all restored and highly curated. Expect to pay more here, and know that you're paying for quality. Their eye is exceptional and it shows in every piece they bring in.
Eastwood Gallery Highly curated and deeply specific — mostly MCM, arts and crafts, and mission furniture. Sofas, chairs, pottery, lamps, bookcases, dining tables, desks — all of it considered, all of it quality. Like Mid Mod Men, expect to invest. Unlike a lot of shops, you won't find filler here.
Style Society All women-owned with all women vendors, and it shows — the energy in this shop is unmatched. Amazing chairs, sofas, rugs, lamps, glassware (such a good collection), baskets, vintage clothes, and really fun gifts. I live close and I'm here at least once a month. I buy pretty much all my gifts here and regularly find furniture pieces I didn't know I needed. The planter stand in my sitting room? Style Society. The white wicker chairs on my porch? Also Style Society. It adds up fast and I have zero regrets.
Minneapolis
Loft Antiques More of a vintage antique vibe — lots of smalls and unique finds at great prices. For furniture, think chairs, side tables, and the occasional couch, great dining table, bookcase, or desk. And don't forget to go downstairs — some of the best finds are hiding down there.
Bella Galleria Truly a mix of everything and the prices are great — but ask about how the pricing works if you don't understand it. Once a piece has been in the shop for a while it goes on sale and shows it right on the tag, which I love. Last time I was there there was an 11-foot curved Century sofa — yes, Century, a wonderful high-end furniture maker — just sitting there. Chairs, headboards, beds, rugs, pillows, dining tables, art, lamps, chandeliers, pedestals. He probably has it.
Clarabel More of a vintage antique vibe with great casegoods — think bookcases, sideboards, trunks — plus great side tables and really strong art. A good stop if you're hunting for pieces with real age and patina.
Retro Wanderlust Karen really knows her stuff and it shows. Sofas, sideboards, bookcases, lamps (such good ones), wallpaper from time to time, art, and amazing mirrors at fair prices. Don't skip the vintage clothes, the pottery, or the jewelry — her jewelry is amazing. The rattan chairs with the iron bases in my own home? Karen. The zebra chandelier shades in my dining room? Also Karen. This shop has personality from floor to ceiling and it's one of my favorites.
Find Furnish If you haven't been here, go right now. I mean it. More mid-century vibes but also cool brutalist art, matching pairs of side tables, dining tables, coffee tables, sectionals, couches, chairs, sideboards, bookcases — you name it, they have it. The art is insane. The pottery is insane. And it is so reasonably priced for what they have. Matching pairs of nightstands or side tables show up regularly, which almost never happens in vintage shopping. Check their Instagram and website for what's new — both are always up to date and things move fast.
Andie Collective Expect to pay more here because everything is highly curated and leans more antique than vintage. Think English or French country house with real flair. Amazing pillows, reupholstered couches, settees, dining tables, coffee tables, bookcases and hutches (lovely ones), great mirrors, art, candles, and dishware that is very cool. His lighting is so good. Everything is high quality and worth the trip — just go in knowing you're shopping at a different price point and that's okay.
Southside Vintage Check their Instagram for hours before you go as they aren't open all that often — but what a gem when they are. Lovely MCM vibes with funky 60s and 70s energy. Couches, bookcases, dining tables, cool chairs, lighting (lamps and pendants), smalls, books, coffee tables, and cool stuff downstairs. Very reasonably priced for what it is. Worth planning around.
A Rare Bird A smaller shop but so cool. Great art, lamps, mirrors, chairs, desks, and the occasional smaller table — all at pretty reasonable prices. Don't overlook it because of the size; the curation is tight and the finds are real.
Carousel + Folk Plants, really cute smalls, candles — but don't let that fool you. There are great lamps, art, mirrors, couches, bookcases, desks, chairs, sideboards, coffee tables, and side tables, all very reasonably priced. Check their Instagram and website for inventory — they post regularly and it's a great way to know what's in before you make the trip.
Outside the Cities
Wild Things This place is massive, so plan accordingly — you'll want to spend the whole day and get a coffee in the store while you're at it. Lots of smalls throughout, but there's a great section near the coffee shop with solid MCM furniture: chairs, bookcases, sideboards, and side tables. Go with time and an open mind and you will always find something.
Golden Age Design Expect to pay more here because everything is restored and they get shipments from Denmark regularly — so the quality and provenance are real. Chairs, couches, sideboards, dining tables, bookcases, desks, and they will even reupholster something in your fabric if it hasn't been reupholstered yet. Check their website — everything is online and it's a great way to shop before you make the drive.
There you have it. Fifteen shops, all personally vetted, all worth your time. Whether you're hunting for one great chair or trying to furnish an entire room, the Twin Cities vintage market is genuinely exceptional — you just have to know where to look.
And if you find something fabulous, send me a pic. I mean it. 🏺
One more thing: I help clients with vintage sourcing and make it to these stores regularly. So if you have something specific in mind — a chair, a sideboard, a lamp, a rug — drop me a line with your parameters and I'll do the legwork for you. It's one of my favorite parts of this job and honestly, why not? Get in touch through the contact page and let's find you something good.
