Church Hill was recently featured in the New York Times as a desirable, historical neighborhood to eat and shop your way through. The area has definitely sprung up in the past few years, but there’s still one thing missing… the shopping. However, there is a hidden vintage antiques and furniture force that you may want to put on your list.
Church Hill was recently featured in the New York Times as a desirable, historical neighborhood to eat and shop your way through. The area has definitely sprung up in the past few years, but there’s still one thing missing… the shopping. However, there is a hidden vintage antiques and furniture force that you may want to put on your list.
Era Vintage, nestled in a tiny storefront on Marshall and 27th, might be the best place in town for some great home-decor finds.
Owner Diana Mathews, before opening Era, worked at the Church Hill restaurant, Dutch & Co. (and still does on some nights).
She began her vintage experience with a website selling her collected home furnishings, storing items in Chester where her family lives. After her online success, she acquired a joint warehouse with a few others in Church Hill.
Mathews had wanted to open up a storefront and had a stroke of luck when a co-worker spotted a ‘FOR RENT’ sign across the street. She jumped on the lead and was able to begin moving in the next day.
The assistance of a grant program to help build up the area didn’t hurt either. Era Vintage, Proper Pie, WPA Bakery, Dutch & Co., and Subrosa Bakery were among those chosen for a $50,000 grant to open stores, funded by Bon Secours East End Development program.
The storefront has been open since 2013; it’s tiny, but pleasing to the eye, and filled to the brim with potential.
“Eclectic, mid-century furniture and home furnishings. I occasionally have clothes and accessories but primarily home goods,” said Mathews when asked how she would describe her store.
Every month or so, the color scheme changes. Currently it is green. The store holds an array of vintage cookware, wall art and decorative pieces, and several home furnishings. Her motto when sourcing for new items is “If I see it, and I like it, that’s it.”
“There were so many different styles within the 50’s, 60’s, 70’s timeframe that just limiting to one, more modern aesthetic, that’s no fun,” said Mathews on her style and of the items in her store. “I just enjoy different types of design, different looks, color, and texture, so it’s really hard to pinpoint what really inspires me or what I’m drawn to.”
Due to the zoning in Church Hill and the codes for preserving historical buildings, it is almost impossible to set up a retail location in the area. The neighborhood may not be a shopping destination, but it is the “only” location for Era Vintage to reside, according to Mathews.
“I absolutely love Church Hill. I don’t want to be anywhere else. I’ve lived here for about 10 years [and] this whole area is very supportive of neighbors and bringing people in,” said Mathews of location and her love for the neighborhood. “From a business standpoint, sure, Carytown is great and booming, but it’s not the feel of my store, and Church Hill kind of just is.”
Store hours during the winter are Wednesday-Saturday 11-3pm. When spring hits, the hours will increase because more people will be out and about exploring the city.
Mathews said the weekends are when most of the business happens at Era. Church Hill has some kind of event or festival going on just about every weekend, in turn bringing a good amount of foot traffic to the area.
“On Saturdays, Dutch & Co. has their ‘Backdoor Hot Dogs’; there’s a line around the block every Saturday from 12-1, so it brings people up here,” said Mathews. “WPA, same thing in the morning for gluten-free muffins; there’s always people walking around.”
Era Vintage is located across from WPA Bakery and Dutch & Co. There are also two vacant storefronts on the block; one is slated to be a design firm. The type of business the other space, directly across from her store, will become is still unknown. But in Matthew’s eyes, any new businesses close by should help to bring more business for all.
Once or twice a month, she and her joint partners at the warehouse, The Odd Couple Shop (antiques and curiosities) and Sharp Man (vintage men’s warehouse) host an “Open Warehouse Sale.”
There is a huge selection of her furniture and home décor at the warehouse, since her store is not big enough to hold all of her stuff. The warehouse is located at 202 N 21st St, in Church Hill.
She also does a little bit of design consulting, interior decorating, pop-up shops, and stages events as well.
But a good amount of her time is spent sourcing for new items.
“Mostly thrifting, antique stores, estate sales,” said Mathews. “I have pipe dreams of going on a nationwide scavenge and looking that way. Right now it’s just really fun and satisfying to go out to some of the surrounding far-out counties and see what I can find there.”
If the store hours and the warehouse sales are not convenient, people can call and schedule appointments at the store or warehouse. The website is available as well to browse and buy items.
Era Vintage is located at 2704 E. Marshall St and is open Wednesday-Saturday 11-3pm. Check out the shop and experience mid-century nostalgia.
