Jennifer Vanderwoodsen likens antiquing to modern-day treasure hunting.
The comparison rings true when you step inside Everything Vintage Co., a warm space filled with beautifully worn treasures.
Vanderwoodsen and husband Jason, co-owners of the shop, scavenge the northern part of the country on picking trips, bringing their favorite finds back home. Everything from 1950s kid’s cowboy boot spurs to antique factory windows with Luxfer Prism glass tiles designed by Frank Lloyd Wright.
“It’s hard not to keep it all,” she said.
The Vanderwoodsens love every item as their own. They collected antiques as a couple for three years before turning the passion into a business, opening Everything Vintage in 2011.
It was Jason’s idea, at first. Originally from Toano, Jason Vanderwoodsen has long been a builder, creative in a way different from Jennifer, an artist and photographer. She said Jason sparked her appreciation of antiques.
Though Everything Vintage buys from many locations, Jennifer said many of the items in the store come from picking trips in places like Connecticut, Ohio, Michigan, Wisconsin, to name a few.
“There’s actually a lot more stuff up north,” she said.
Upon stepping foot in the store, there’s a certain feel. Industrial yet inviting, full of quirk and character.
“It’s definitely eclectic,” Jason said of the style. “A lot of people consider it like modern farmhouse.”
Without hesitation, Jennifer pointed out one of the rarest items in the shop: a massive, colorful circus band organ dating to the 1940s. She said circus items are some of the hardest to find and the organ, found in Michigan, could still work with a little restoration. Another rare find, already sold, was a Levy Process Camera so large the buyers turned it into a table base.
Everything Vintage also recently introduced a wood room, filled with slabs of wood ready for working. Both Jennifer and Jason love working with wood—the shop currently contains a spalted oak coffee table hand-crafted by Jennifer.
Whether made or found, there’s care behind every item. Jennifer considers it an honor not just finding a piece, but owning and loving it for a time, before finding the piece a new home with customers who fall in love the same way the Vanderwoodsens did.
“We get excited with them, and we get excited for them,” she said.
Bridges can be reached by phone at 757-345-2342.
Want to visit?
Located at 7880 Richmond Road in Toano, Everything Vintage is open 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday to Saturday and 12-5 p.m., Sunday. For more information, call 757-566-1818, email everythingvintageco@hotmail.com or visit the “Everything Vintage Co.” Facebook page.
