Release Date: November 29,2018
Mid-century modern furniture store opens in downtown Akron
Phase four of the Downtown Akron Partnership’s pop-up retail program continues with the opening of Sweet Modern at 2 N. Summit St. Sweet Modern is fine vintage mid-century furniture and décor shop featuring pieces from the 50s, 60s, 70s and 80s finished and ready for the home.
A grand opening event is scheduled for Dec. 1 from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m. as part of Akron Artwalk. Sweet Modern is near the Akron Art Museum and Summit Artspace.
Owners Ronald Higgins and Adam Krutko have spent the last several years redecorating their Highland Square home with mid-century modern furnishings. A passion for vintage design soon became bigger than the home space, so Sweet Modern was born. The couple has sold furniture online for the past several months with shipments going to Texas, Florida, North Dakota, New York City and Tokyo. New items arrive each week.
“The hunt becomes addicting,” says Krutko. “There is nothing like finding a long forgotten piece and knowing that you can give it another life. We have traveled thousands of miles across the Midwest and Northeast to collect beautiful furnishings from top European and American designers.”
On a recent trip to Iowa, the owners came across a most unexpected find — an egg-shaped chair from the 1970s that looked like it had been salvaged from a spaceship. Stereo speakers were mounted inside it, but the real surprise was found on the back. In small letters it read, “Made in Akron, Ohio.” The couple instantly knew that this strange chair would be making the 700 mile journey back to Akron.
Sweet Modern’s main showroom features finished pieces with a great view of Akron’s skyline. When a piece arrives, it is carefully inspected and then repaired, refinished and reupholstered as needed. As lovers of vintage style, the team at Sweet Modern work to honor the unique character and history of the pieces while making them ready to shine in new homes.
“We want people to fall in love,” says Higgins. “When you come into the store, we want you to discover a piece that speaks to you — one that you cannot live without. There are many benefits beyond the clean lines and cool style of mid-century furniture. These pieces were made from real wood in a time when craftsmanship mattered. Buying vintage is the most eco-friendly option, and the money you spend goes directly into the local economy.”
Sweet Modern is open in December on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. and Saturday from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. Visits are also available most weekdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. by calling ahead at 330-923-9230. A selection of inventory can be seen online at sweetmodern.com. Follow the shop on Facebook and Instagram.
The Downtown Akron Partnership pop-up retail program began in 2015 with 34 new businesses opened that range from store front locations to vendors in the Northside Marketplace. Phase four is supported by Burton D. Morgan Foundation and is expanded to include any new business, not only retail store fronts, for available space in the Special Improvement District.