Vintage collector Greg Martinez has long been drawn to retro wares. He was just 15 years old when he started raising his bidder card at estate auctions throughout Topeka. “Other people at the sales started educating me on jewelry, furniture, toys—all kinds of antique stuff,” Martinez says.
With more than 30 years of experience under his belt, Martinez now co-owns mid-century modern store Populuxe alongside Ray Cessna. In 2018, the business graduated from antique store booths and First Friday pop-ups to a 9,000-square-foot showroom in Midtown’s Martini Corner. The store’s name, a portmanteau of popular and luxury, is titled after a mid-century aesthetic defined by stylish chrome accents, pastels and striking geometric shapes.
Step inside Populuxue and you’ll find a meticulously curated collection of period-specific home goods. A starburst wall clock hangs above a low-profile tweed sofa. Colorful barware sits atop a teakwood sideboard with tapered legs. “We also have vintage clothing,” Cessna says. “There’s something for everyone.”
Although Martinez is still known to drop in on the occasional estate sale, the hunt for pieces in superb condition has grown broader over the years. Working with other collectors and shops, the pair sources the majority of their inventory from out of state, driving far and wide to bring their mid-century modern finds to Kansas City.
Shop Populuxe’s showroom in person (3109 Gillham Road, Suite 150, KCMO) or learn more at populuxekc.com.
