How to run an antique/vintage shop
Since I’ve started not only my booth but my website as well, I’ve been asked several times by people how to run a successful vintage shop both online and in person. I’m here to answer both of those questions for you!
I want to begin by saying I do not have a degree in business, advertising, or merchandising, but to be completely honest you truly don’t {need} any of those to run a successful business. I firmly believe that all you need is a solid foundation, vision, and determination to run a long-term business. I started 777 Vintage August of 2022 when I was pregnant with our second child. I knew from a young age I didn’t want a regular 9-5 job. I would write about owning my own shop or boutique in little, short stories, I just didn’t know what type of business I’d run. Now I feel like I work random hours but that is ok. I enjoy the freedom of being home with my kiddos and doing what I genuinely enjoy.
Onto what I’ve learned along this journey operating 777 Vintage!
In this day and age utilizing the technology we’ve been given is a HUGE part of running a successful business. Now, I wouldn’t go overboard right out the gate with being present on every single social media platform as a vintage shop owner. I’ve learned that Instagram is my favorite to utilize with Facebook being my backup to post on. I did try TikTok but it wasn’t personally my cup of tea as I don’t create a ton of video content for my shop, but that app could work for you! Post images of your booth on your Instagram and Facebook feeds, along with on your stories. Get a ton of angles and take up close photos of some highlighted items in your booth. Add information on where your booth is located and the store hours. If you have an online shop, add your shops link as well so people know your online too. I have a sign in my booth {it’s an antique framed chalkboard that I used a white paint pen on}, and on that sign I have my social media handles and my website! Seriously don’t be shy about advertising.
Posting consistently is absolutely key. There are days where I feel like no one cares what I have to say, sell, or do, but I still post away because even though I think that about myself, and business doesn’t mean its truth. I don’t just want to post what I have to sell on my Instagram all day, every day. I do enjoy connecting with others online who also love antiques, and I don’t mind getting personal with parts of my life as well. Although the phrase is true that nobody cares more about your business than you do. —What I mean by that is, while people eventually will grow a connection to you and your shop, if you ever feel the need to step back or shut down your shop permanently, people will understand and there is no need to ever feel like a failure if that happens. In this line of work, you have to do what’s best for you in the end.
Another important part of owning a vintage shop is quality items!! Now, I know, we’re selling pre-loved merchandise here, so nothing is new but making sure you are transparent with your customers is key. Describe the condition of each item on your shop. Obviously if someone is shopping your items in person they will get to touch and feel and see for themselves the kind of condition an item is in. I also like to clean my items up when I get them depending on what it is and what kind of condition it is in. I usually don’t remove patina from brass or copper or aged wood pieces. In fact, I would HIGHLY recommend never removing patina from old wood pieces, {stools, bread boards, chapati bowls, furniture pieces, benches, etc.}. I overall try my hardest to not have items with a ton of cracks, chips, scuffs, and gouges, but we’re selling antiques here people, I can’t promise the condition of it to be like it was back in 1876. 😂 Sourcing good items takes time, and you have to be patient if you’re looking for specific items. I’ve been asked if I go to thrift stores to find my items and truthfully most thrift stores in my area aren’t great. They have your typical thrift store items that I don’t want on my shelves or online. Every once in a while, I may find a gem at the thrift for the shop but like I said, in my region of Illinois it’s usually a waste of time for me to look.
For shipping items, I highly recommend over packing your items, especially if they are breakable. Wrapping a few layers of bubble wrap around a vase and then stuffing packing paper under, around, and on top of that item is guaranteed to have it arrive in one piece. Packing is something you get better at the more you do it. Trust me, when I first started out, I had no clue what I was doing. I did have some items get damaged in transit and I had to suck it up and give some refunds in the beginning. It’s not fun. Don’t give up on your business just because of items breaking. Unfortunately, it happens and some customers understand while others may never buy from you again due to one bad experience. It’s like that with any business that ships items. I’m more for not supporting big box stores though and giving small business owners a break!
Overall, you’ll come to find out this business is very subjective. Prices are subjective, — but I suggest being competitive with your prices if you want to actually make a profit and make your sourcing trips worth your time. This type of business is not for everyone. You get out what you put into it, whether it’s online or in person somewhere. Having a passion and creative mind for this type of business is extremely helpful as well. While you should be watching your margins, you should also have fun with everything you do when it comes to owning and operating an antique booth or online shop.
I’m not an expert at any of this. This is my personal experience from the past 3 years since opening my online shop and now running a 10 x 20 sized booth. This is my only job besides being a mother so I pour my heart into 777 Vintage. I genuinely enjoy what I do and that is truly what keeps a successful antique business going.
If you are a reseller, I hope this helped you get a little insight on how to get started as an antique shop owner. Or if you’re a friend or customer to 777 Vintage I hope you enjoyed reading about what it takes to run an antique shop!