IDEAS Vintage Market ® offers unique items and opportunities to the Sewickley area .
By Nicole Tafe
When Judith Minegar travels she finds inspiration in visiting local antique stores . “ I love looking into their windows and seeing unique items ,” says Minegar . Her inspiration has since led the North Hills native to open a shop of her own : IDEAS Vintage Market ®. She chose the name because it is designed to give customers creative ideas on what to do with things they own .
The idea of the shop , which opened in September 2013 , is patterned after a Parisian flea market . “ Our customers often say they feel as though they ’ ve been transported to the streets of Paris , which we never tire of hearing ,” says Minegar . She and her staff work diligently to reinvent the shop often and make creating vignettes a priority , giving customers something new to look forward to each time they visit .
Variety has been the key to the store ’ s success . “ We pride ourselves on choosing items that appeal to different demographics ,” Minegar notes . “ We follow trends , but not unconditionally , and we are keen to design rules but try not to be inhibited by them .” She and the staff have spent the past two years coveting a style of their own , and are not afraid to take risks when choosing items . “ We like to keep customers guessing !” Minegar says .
IDEAS Vintage Market ® works with vendors across the globe , but also as close as the backyards of Pittsburgh . Some of the vendors have large-scale operations , while others produce their wares in a garage that doubles as a workshop . “ We love the opportunity to offer American-made goods , but also enjoy the chance to show customers other options including Nordic living through imported magazines ,” explains Minegar . “ I mix in my own handpicked treasures with unique clothing , jewelry and home decor , but everything we offer has a sense of beauty , nostalgia and even whimsy !”
Customers are also welcome to bring in gently used , vintage or repurposed items to the shop for consignment . The standard consignment agreement is 30 days with a 50 / 50 split .
In addition to antiques and collectibles , IDEAS Vintage Market ® stocks helpful DIY products like Chalk Paint ® by Annie Sloan , a product Minegar proudly stands behind . “ Our focus is to offer continuous education and advice to customers , meaning the exchange does not end once a product is purchased . Instead , we are always available ,” she says . “ We view our store as a community of creative people because of our relationships with our customers and students .”
There are a variety of educational classes for those interested in learning about refinishing and design . The store offers daily Chalk
Paint ® by Annie Sloan workshops that are geared toward novices and experienced painters alike . Standard class offerings include Chalk Paint Bring Your Own Piece , Chalk Paint 101 and 102 , and Chalk Paint Kitchen Cabinet Facelift . Minegar and her staff also work directly with students to develop workshops that best suit their needs .
“ The tagline Repurpose , Redesign , Rediscover ® reflects the heart of the business ,” says Minegar . “ We find discarded things that can be repurposed or redesigned , and rediscover ways to use and enjoy them for years to come .”
She cites innumerable benefits to repurposing items . “ We love being part of a movement that reduces waste and has a positive impact on the environment ,” she says . Aside from environmental concerns , there are a myriad of reasons people choose to repurpose old items — not the least of which is aesthetic . Whether it ’ s a cost-saving alternative or a thoughtful design decision , it ’ s easy to see the appeal .
“ Our favorite things to repurpose are items that no longer serve a purpose and may have otherwise been cast aside if it weren ’ t for their newfound uses ,” says Minegar . “ Although it may be difficult to constantly change décor in your home , our shop acts as an everevolving canvas , which gives us ample opportunities to repurpose .”
When she returned to her Pittsburgh roots , Minegar looked hard to find a place that would help her reconnect with her past and also act as a stepping-stone to the future . Sewickley offered an unparalleled sense of community . “ Sewickley has a charm that I ’ ve always gravitated toward , and I sensed that it was ready for a business like mine — so I took the plunge and never looked back ,” she says .
“ I truly believe that my store is part of the larger shared goal that ensures Sewickley remains a destination for many years to come . Residents contribute with their patronage and our shop helps to draw people from all over , as evidenced by our guest book which boasts zip codes stretching across the world !”
IDEAS Vintage Market ® is located at 352 Beaver Street in Sewickley . For more information , visit ideasvintagemarket . com . n
Photos by Rusted Sol
Sewickley | Winter 2016 | icmags . com 17