Vintage Swank

Remember the Vitamaster Massage Belt? Remember when the trend was to go into a gym, put this belt around your waist, and stand there while the pounds just vibrated off? How about shag carpets? Or the Haywood Wakefield china cabinets from 1957? And when was the last time you saw a 1972 white oval table with a yellow Mod flower inlay and a chrome base?

Vintage pieces are very popular these days and as decorators combine modern with traditional styles, you're more likely to see pieces from back in the day. “Furniture is one of our best selling,” said Mitch Hazam who, with his wife Amy, owns Vintage Swank in Front Royal. “People seem to like 1950s
modern and ‘60s classic American style furniture.”

The store has sold many pieces all over the world, including a Hans J. Wagner Pappa Bear Chair. The store also has beautiful furniture for sale like the 1960s Dyrlund Danish Modern Rosewood Bar, which is one of their more difficult pieces to ship because of its 200-plus pounds.

Vintage Swank gets a lot of requests for children's furniture,
which surprised the couple. Many customers like the convertible
pieces that can be adjusted as the child grows. “It's hard to find
pieces in good condition,” said Mitch. “There are some neat
pieces. It's pretty interesting.”

The Hazams consider themselves collectors, not mere shop owners, and began their business in 2003 because of their passion for vintage fashion. “It was a collection that went a little crazy,” said Amy. “It's not at all what we thought we would be doing.”

That craziness has paid off. Today, Vintage Swank has customers in 48 out of 50 states and 14 different countries including China. Their website, www.vintageswank.com, includes furniture as well as clothing, accessories, house wares, and lighting.

– L.A. Eaton