NewBizOly: The ModFix
Spending time with her grandparents on the flea-market circuit developed Katherine Sampson’s eye for what was once considered ‘junk’, now coveted and collected as MidCentury Modern vintage furniture, housewares, art, and period decor. Katherine’s spacious, beautifully self-renovated new store, The ModFix, is riding the wave of popularity this style has engendered, aesthetically displaying retro and modern home décor as well as offering books on decorating, architecture, designers and design elements of the 50s-70s.
“My continuing online vintage business, www.themodfix.com, was my sales outlet for two years,” Katherine recalls, “and led me to explore having a store. When a broken leg took me out of skating for Portland’s Rose City Roller Girls for good, I used my recovery time to work with the Small Business Administration researching possibilities. Portland was full of mid-century businesses, but there was nothing in Olympia, which lends itself to the independent business. Here, I am filling a niche. I like the small town environment.”
Katherine graduated from Evergreen in 2005, and is glad to be back. “The store opened in early January, and in the first three days, I made the rent! It’s going well. Our prices are reasonable. We offer new and vintage mid-century items from a variety of companies. We also collaborate with local graphic designers and artists to bring customers items ranging from apparel and accessories to kitchenware, electronics, lighting, and home décor. Our motto is ‘form, functionality, and fun.’ Our emphasis is on quality vintage and new ‘retro inspired’ items.”
Local artist Daisy Curley’s paper art fits right in. Locally-made aprons, pillows and silk-screened bags are also available. Katherine is collaborating with the new “Olympia Modern” group in walking tours of this capitol town’s many architectural sites of the era. Who knew there was an Olympia Modern style? Now we do, thanks to The ModFix. And I have lived long enough to see the furniture of my childhood become a fashionable trend. Cool.
505 Capitol Way South
360-943-9883
Hours: 11AM – 6PM
Tuesday – Saturday
NewBizOly is written by Holly Graham. Suggestions, comments and questions: olympiapowerandlight@gmail.com
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