Dial M For Modern, a vintage furniture shop located at 1818 W. Grand Ave., announced on Apr. 9 that it will close its West Town storefront later this month while maintaining a sales presence at a vintage showroom in Pilsen.
The closure reflects ongoing changes in the vintage furniture market and challenges facing local retail businesses. The shop, which has operated in West Town since 2023 after five years in Logan Square, is holding a closing sale over the next two weekends before shutting down.
Owner Timothy Burkhart said an increase in sales for his brand at Design at 329—a warehouse near the Pilsen-Chinatown border that hosts about two dozen vintage sellers—has contributed to decreased business at the Grand Avenue location. He also cited broader difficulties for retailers and upcoming construction on Grand Avenue as reasons for consolidating operations. “I just wasn’t getting as much out of the Grand [Avenue] space as I am at the Design at 329 space. There was a time when Grand was more than half my [business], but now it’s maybe 15 percent of it. Couple that with just doing it for over a decade, and it seems like I just need a little break from the brick-and-mortar,” Burkhart said in a text message. “It’s definitely a bit sad, but I feel comfortable knowing I can make this decision and it’s on me.”
Several other vintage shops have recently closed or shifted their business models in West Town and surrounding neighborhoods following shifts in consumer behavior during and after the pandemic boom years. Velvet Goldmine owner Jon Gorske also reported declining sales at his Ukrainian Village store due to increased activity at Design at 329.
Burkhart reflected on recent trends: “The entire industry changed overnight during COVID and was booming for a few years. Every shop I know had their most profitable time during then. Also, like half of the current dealers in 329 and Chicago started during COVID,” he said. “That always can’t last though… People are back to shopping online again more than shopping locally in general.”
Looking ahead, Burkhart plans to continue selling through appointments or designated weekends each month from his Pilsen showroom and did not rule out reopening another standalone store someday. In announcing discounts up to 75 percent until closing day, he told supporters: “I appreciate all your support. It’s bittersweet. It’s not an end, just a course correction… As a business, I always have to find ways to tread water to survive, and this just seems like the only step right now to do so.”
