BungalowBiz

What inspired you to start your vintage shop/boutique?

I found myself looking for something to occupy my time and energy after becoming an empty-nester two months after an unexpected early retirement. When my daughters moved out they didn’t want to take any of their furniture so I started selling it on Craigslist, which was easier than I anticipated and so I began listing other items we had that were just sitting around collecting dust or taking up space in the garage. After doing that for about a year, I decided if I was going to be selling "stuff" I should sell what I’m passionate about – Vintage! I’d been shopping vintage markets regularly since my late teens and knew that was the community I wanted to join.

How long have you been in business, and how has your shop evolved over time?

My first show (Long Beach Antique Market) was in the fall of 2017 and in the beginning I was vending at one or two local markets each month but before long I started traveling to participate in bigger markets and 2-day shows. At the time I kept my inventory in a shed my husband built for me in our backyard but it was soon obvious I'd need more space. While I searched and waited for a permanent space, I temporarily moved everything into a storage unit and in the fall of 2020 I moved into my warehouse in Monrovia. We were in the thick of Covid which lent itself to a more personal, boutique shopping experience for my customers, which they still enjoy to this day. In addition to in-person shopping, folks can shop my warehouse virtually, via FB or Instagram and I host seasonal pop-ups at my warehouse to showcase other local vendors. I also have a thriving Etsy account to reach a much larger audience and grow my customer base..

What types of vintage items do you carry?

My inventory of vintage items range in style and size, from primitives and antiques to farmhouse and salvage. I always have an assortment of quilts and pillows, books, Bibles, candlesticks, Ironstone and art. Everything from old photos and postcards to pie safes and windmills and everything in between. I also carry a selection of small artisan-crafted goods, perfect for gifts. Folks can shop the warehouse for home and outdoor decor all in one place.

How do you source your vintage pieces? Do you have a favorite story behind a special find?

Finding authentic quality vintage is indeed a scavenger hunt so no source is off limits. I shop swap meets, flea markets, estate sales, thrift stores, yard sales, and of course the coveted honey hole! I’ve had many exciting finds, some sentimental, some lucrative. Several years ago I was digging in a garage at an estate sale and came across an old beat-up cookie tin. After struggling to remove the lid I was greeted with 6 vintage Santa mugs all in beautiful condition. The garage tins were all $2 whether full or empty so I was pretty thrilled with my score. That's one of my favorite special find stories.

Are there any rare or unique items currently in your collection?

I do have a pair of late 1800s sanctuary seats from a church just up the road from my warehouse. The detail on the wood and iron sides is just gorgeous and speaks to the incredible craftsmanship of the time. Each two-seat set was designed for a lady and a gentleman. The gentleman’s chair has a rack beneath the seat to hold his hat during worship. Each seat also has a pocket on the back (for folks in the row behind them) to hold hymnals and missals. I purchased several sets of seats and have just the one set left.

Do you offer any special services, such as styling assistance or custom restorations?

A few different services actually. I offer virtual shopping, where a customer can shop the warehouse via FaceTime, etc. I walk around the warehouse and patio with them and show them each section, each vignette, each collection. Many of my customers are out of state and it’s a way for them to shop more than just what I post on social media. I also do a bit of personal shopping for customers, hunting for items they’ve specifically asked for and messaging them on the spot when I find their treasure. In addition to being a personal shopper for some, I provide rentals for special events and photo shoots. It’s also fun to help a customer create a vibe or vignette off of one or two pieces they find with me or already have. It’s always a pleasure to shop the warehouse with them to pull the look together.

Can shoppers purchase items online, or is everything sold in-store?

Shoppers can purchase via my social media posts, in the warehouse (either in person or virtually) as well as my Etsy shop which has a continually growing selection of items.

Do you host events, workshops, or pop-ups?

I host four seasonal pop-ups a year, spring, summer, fall and holiday. I invite fellow vendors to come and sell with me and we make a fun day of it. Each time I design a "photo booth" to encourage shoppers to snap a selfie and share their experience on social media. We also do drawings for discounts, and customers can enjoy a variety of homemade treats, refreshments and there’s always music playing should you want to dance or sing along.

Any fun or memorable experiences with customers you’d like to share?

I love pairing shoppers with the perfect piece of vintage, whether it’s something they’ve been hunting for or an item that brings them back to their childhood or special time in their life. Those are always fun. However, an especially memorable experience happened early on. I sold a piece of vintage luggage to a customer who is a photographer. She used the suitcase as a prop, capturing the model standing in the middle of the street with the luggage swung out in her outstretched hand. That photo landed on the cover of French Vogue. Needless to say I was overwhelmed and so incredibly excited to be a tiny part of such a beautiful photo.

How to Shop:

Sandra Richmond-Morton
(626) 252-2199
bungalowbiz@hotmail.com

@BungalowBiz (IG and FB)
and
www.etsy.com/shop/bungalowbiz