Christine Blau 



When Rhianna Romero and her husband Colton Toth relocated to Sarasota from Tampa in 2021, Romero was puzzled above how to take gain of their rental home’s get rid of workshop. Fascinated by classic home furniture and inventive arms-on activities, Romero resolved to blend her passions and use the area to refinish a midcentury modern dresser that she identified on Fb Marketplace. A week just after listing the piece on Etsy, the dresser sold, and the pair recognized that they experienced stumbled upon a successful aspect hustle.
“I’ve often been thrifty and appreciate repurposing things,” states Romero, “and when we marketed the dresser, Colton recognized a company opportunity.”



They released their store, Retro Revival SRQ, on Etsy in 2021 and began collecting and refinishing a range of items. Much less than two a long time later on, on Dec. 17, the enterprising few celebrated the grand opening of a 1600 sq.-foot brick-and-mortar locale.
Alongside one another, Toth and Romero uncovered how to restore and refinish classic parts, a method that has brought them even closer. “We could not do this enterprise if we did not have each and every other, for the reason that we equally provide our very own sets of skills and passions with each other to make this successful,” provides Romero, “and we are grateful that we get to operate along with every other each individual working day.”
When they opened the Etsy shop, Toth, now 26, labored as an accountant, and Romero, now 27, was an executive assistant. Eleven months into the task, Toth left his occupation to pursue the undertaking whole-time. Romero saved her work but proceeds to pour her free time into the small business, which carries lots of dressers, bedroom sets and chairs.
Most of the parts on provide are midcentury fashionable, write-up-modern or Danish modern day, and had been manufactured during the 1950s to 1980s. Romero and Toth are generally on the hunt for new parts, but predominantly source them in Florida. Further than getting a sharp eye for finding the parts, there was a learning curve.
“When Rhianna initially refinished the dresser, she painted it sage eco-friendly, which we uncovered is a significant no-no when it arrives to midcentury household furniture for the reason that the aim is to maintain the piece as close to its primary point out as achievable,” says Toth. The extra parts they refinish, the additional the pair discovers how to guarantee the furnishings stays period of time-appropriate and is refinished to the optimum specifications.
“Six months in the past, we would’ve just coloured in a chip on a piece, but now we take the time to stage and paint it, ensuing in a higher good quality end-product or service,” Toth provides. The pair primarily spruces up the tops of items and fixes chips, striving to strengthen the finish of just about every piece. Whilst pricing relies upon on the piece alone, most range from $500 to $3,000.



“Older household furniture has far more appeal and character and is designed superior than what you get nowadays,” states Romero, commenting on an element that has contributed to midcentury furniture’s rise in attractiveness in new years. Toth also provides that provide chain problems have built classic furniture far more appealing to people who can invest in it appropriate away and carry it home the similar working day.



Presented Sarasota’s background as a revolutionary town in the midcentury modern day movement, it’s no surprise that the couple’s business is booming. “Sarasota is a great space for us since of the record of midcentury properties and collectors in this location,” claims Toth. Nevertheless, locals fascinated in the design and style have experienced to travel to destinations like Palm Springs, usually hailed as the midcentury cash of the entire world. In the long run, the couple sees them selves continuing to curate an upscale retailer and offering Sarasotans the prospect to store for outstanding midcentury home furnishings domestically.
Retro Revival SRQ is found at 6579 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota. To understand extra and test out the items, visit their Etsy internet site or follow them on Instagram @retrorevival_srq.
