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Second-Hand Modern

Oklahoma Offers Shoppers Happy Hunting Grounds

Looking for the best places to shop for bargains on hip and modern furniture and accessories?

Historically the nearby markets of Kansas City, Denver or Dallas have been much more active for modern and retro shoppers. For many years sellers in Tulsa and Oklahoma City traveled or sought out buyers through online marketplaces like Craigslist or eBay. But today the local demand for cool swag is heating up.

We spent a week traveling the Sooner State to find the second-hand shops that specialize in vintage, retro, modern and contemporary items. We discovered shops offering everything from kitsch to Case Study. But the most exciting discovery was the community of businesses making a go and keeping it local. Savvy entrepreneurs are staying close to home, setting up shop– even rejuvenating retail storefronts and neighborhoods. The end result is a shopper's paradise. If you know where to look.

Here's our list of favorite and fun Oklahoma places to shop- in no particular order.


Oklahoma City
  • Space
    4408 N Western Ave.
    405-923-8125
    Furniture is the primary focus of this shop. There are some smaller items- but designer furnishings and office gear are the main inventory. And while you shop you can get a haircut!
  • Retro OKC
    1708 NW 16th Street
    405-922-9981
    Mike Brown (no relation) has set up shop in the Plaza District. The store is loaded with a little bit of everything, but you'll find a great assortment of kitschy art and accessories. 
  • Abracadabra
    2725 NW 50th Street
    405-949-0777
    You'll find this shop tucked away in the shadow of Founder's Tower. But don't let the strip mall fool you- there's a ton of cool furnishings and lighting inside.
  • Retroman
    1023 W Main
    405-609-0525
    Furnishings and decor from the Fifties and Sixties are the specialty here. The historic location also makes this shop worth a visit- the building was Oklahoma City's first Deep Rock gas station.
Tulsa
  • Retro Den
    2741 E 15th Street
    918-510-2318
    This shop is a potpourri of furnishings and decor from the Forties through the Seventies. Funky and kitsch are their specialty here- and you'll find an eclectic array at reasonable prices.
  • Mod 50s Modern
    2921 E 15th Street
    918-749-3620
    Maurice Powell has been searching out designer furniture and decor for more than 20 years now. Formerly known as Deco to Disco, his shop on Cherry Street is a treasure trove of famous names like Eames, Heywood-Wakefield and historic Oklahoma artwork.
  • Retro Decor & More
    6390 E 31st Street
    918-660-7000
    Like the name says- lots of retro decorative items. Plus furniture, wall art and lamps. Located just west of 31st and Sheridan next to Mall 31.
Also...
Got more time than money? Hidden treasures await you at the local thrift stores. But be prepared to dig through a whole lot of... um, not treasure. Area antique malls are another fun place to seek out the hip and groovy. In fact, many of the shopkeepers we met on our rounds had started out with a booth at their local antiquary. Prices are usually better due to lower overhead, but you have to dig and will most likely need to get your hands dirty.

And don't forget to check the classifieds for estate sales! You can find some great bargains- plus get to see a cool house. Look for sales located in neighborhoods built in the Fifties and Sixties for the best combinations of shopping and impromptu home tour.

We Love Maps
There's more! I admit it: I'm a geek and I love maps. So after the rave reviews of our Oklahoma Modern Map we decided to make another one just for cool places to shop! This map includes stores that offer new merchandise, clothing, etc.


View Oklahoma Modern Shopping in a larger map

What did we miss?
Feel free to leave a comment with any suggestions you have for other modern Oklahoma outlets.




Comments

mod50s said…
THANKS Oklahoma Modern! I appreciate it, here, down at mod50s modern! Love your posts!

The Recent Past

Oklahoma State Capitol Bank

On the Trail of Julius Shulman: Stop 2 "This is a bank," the sign outside the futuristic building read. According to legend a prankster added a strategic question mark and echoed the sentiment of many passers-by: "This is a bank?" That was back in 1964 when it opened. Today the Arvest on Lincoln Boulevard looks a bit less Jetsonian, mostly due to replacement of structural glass below the "saucers," but it's still an unusual bank. Designed by Robert Roloff of the architectural firm Bailey, Bozalis, Dickinson & Roloff, the State Capitol Bank caused quite a stir in Oklahoma City when it opened. Heck, it's still pretty shocking today! Originally the flying saucers appeared to hover above the building (as seen in this vintage postcard). All the glass that made that effect possible also made heating and cooling an expensive proposition. Security concerns also mandated replacement of those windows with solid materials and small square portholes

Visit to the Prairie Chicken House

This unique house on the edge of Norman, Oklahoma is known to most as the prairie chicken house. Designed by Herb Greene in 1960, he preferred to call it simply the Prairie House .  Thanks to the  Prairie House Preservation Society  (PHPS) it is now possible for the public to experience one of Oklahoma's most unusual architectural treasures. 

The Bruce Goff House in Vinita

We were recently surprised to learn about a Goff-designed home just an hour away from Tulsa in Vinita, Oklahoma. Vinita is probably best known to OK Mod readers as the home of the Glass House on I-44, also known as (shudder) the World's Largest Largest McDonalds . Anywho, turned out the Goff house was on the market, and the owner was more than happy to let us have a look around. We took a short drive up the turnpike one Sunday afternoon to meet the realtor, snap some pictures, ask some questions and enjoy another one of Bruce Goff's unique creations. The home is known as the Adams House and was built in 1961. The 3,700 square foot home is arranged in a circular floor plan with a large sunken "conversation pit" at the center. Rising up from this pit is a large metal fireplace, its chimney surrounded by skylights, which dominates the entire house. Rooms surround the perimeter with folding accordion doors acting as walls. To maintain some semblance of privacy an inner