Photos by Werner Segarra

Owners: Janice (pictured) and John Proffitt
Opened: May 2005
Location: 1206 E. Indian School Road, Phoenix
Hours: Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.; Sunday, noon - 5 p.m.
Phone: (602) 327-3271
Web site: passportimports.com
History: Phoenix resident Janice Proffitt says she and her son John fell into the business of importing and selling furnishings purely by accident. After buying items in Mexico for a friend several years ago, John, who lives in Dallas, decided to explore the possibility of wholesaling goods from Asia. The company took off, Janice came on board, and soon they were selling pieces to shops across the Southwest. Believing they could offer merchandise at lower prices than other retailers, the mother-and-son team decided to open their own store in Phoenix.
Philosophy: The two go on worldwide buying trips several times a year, searching for unique, quality furnishings with reasonable prices for their 10,000-square-foot showroom. “We’re looking for livable works of art,” says Janice, calling the wares a blend of global chic and Old World.  
What’s in store: The shop carries a variety of pieces for indoors and out, from carved wood dining tables and reclaimed doors, to fountains and black marble statues. A collection of outdoor furniture, including bar stools, tables and chaise lounges, is offered in water hyacinth, abaca and resin; cushions are upholstered in outdoor fabrics. Reclaimed wood items are given a new look, such as an oxbow harness that has been converted into a chair and a teak wheel transformed into a table. You’ll also find sculptural tables and chairs carved from teak root along with African bronze sculptures, Ethiopian crosses and petrified wood end tables from Indonesia.