Fast Facts

Owners:
Matt and Megan Wszalek

Opened: Nov. 1, 2023

Location:
2809 N. 15th Ave., Phoenix

Hours: Thurs.-Sun.;
11 a.m.-6 p.m.

Phone: (602) 888-1577

Instagram:
@modernarizona.shop

HISTORY: In the late 1990s, Matt worked for a company that did appraisals and consignments of home furnishings to bring into shops for resale. “That was my first taste of design, and it led to a 25-year career in home furnishings with companies ranging from small mom-and-pop operations to massive big-box retailers,” he recalls. Megan, on the other hand, works as an HR professional and has an undergraduate degree in fine art from ASU. As time passed, they began reflecting on the extent of their experience and decided the time had come to find something they could do together and put their stamp on. “It was the obvious next step,” Matt remarks. “So we started researching and looking for opportunities until we found one that appeared to be a great fit for us.” 

That fit was owning a store called Modern Arizona, where Matt’s design background, Megan’s people skills and knowledge of art, and their combined love of midcentury modern design made them the perfect owners. They acquired the shop’s assets in November 2023 and spent several months collecting, curating and creating displays. “We brought in a lot more art and period pieces,” Matt notes. “It was 30 days from when we began negotiating to the day we opened the door, and we had our first customer within hours. We were off to the races and living our dream.”

PHILOSOPHY: Matt and Megan feel strongly that the customer is the most important person in the room and realize the importance of building relationships within the community. “We spent many years providing exceptional experiences for other people. Now we can take the basic aspects of that and apply them to our own business,” Megan remarks.

THE MISSION: First and foremost, the pair want their items to be accessible. They encourage customers to look for a piece of furniture or art they connect with and that will add a layer of dimension to their home. “Our mission is to provide an opportunity for people to acquire one-of-a-kind pieces of furniture, original art and home decor items at a reasonable price; things that have a story and say something about their personality and taste,” Megan summarizes.

ACQUISITION: When asked how they acquire their merchandise, Matt shares that they receive calls and emails daily from people looking to sell, downsize, collect or purchase specific items, as well as from local dealers in town who are working with private estates. “We’ll quickly assess if what they have would be a good fit for our shop and either buy it outright or ask if they would consider a consignment arrangement on some of the more exceptional pieces,” he remarks.

THE STORE: The 1,700-square-foot, well-lit showroom offers a casual, calming and welcoming ambience. “You’ll likely hear some Thelonious Monk in the background and notice therapeutic scents from homemade candles as you enter,” Matt says. They also have 1,700 square feet of warehouse space for additional inventory to move into the shop as needed.

THE GOODS: While it emphasizes midcentury modern, the store’s inventory also includes boho, eclectic and post-modern pieces. These range from seating and dining options to headboards, storage and display units, desks, nightstands, end tables, credenzas, dressers, lighting, clocks, wall art, glassware, throw pillows, scented candles, books, records and rugs. Unusual finds on the floor have run the gamut from an expanding teak bar cart to a purple hand-shaped chair and open-edition art pieces by Andy Warhol. “We also have small console stereos, patio sets and vintage freestanding metal outdoor fireplaces,” Matt adds.

MOST REQUESTED:  The neighborhoods surrounding Modern Arizona are predisposed to the size and style of furniture the Wszaleks carry based on the years the homes were built, Matt points out. So it’s no surprise that the most requested items sold are midcentury modern credenzas, which are as sought after as TV  stands. “One-of-a-kind original works of art are a close second,” he adds. “People want something singular and original, and we have plenty to offer.”

MOST UNIQUE: A large collection of vintage ironwood carvings of animals, fish, birds, cacti and more, produced by the Seri Indians in Sonora, Mexico, from 1960 to 1980, are a prized offering. “We have what is arguably the world’s largest collection, including pieces by the very first ironwood carver, Jose Astoria, whose work is included in the Smithsonian Institution and the Heard Museum,” Matt reports proudly. 

SERVICES: In addition to keeping a wish list of specific pieces customers seek, delivery and house calls can be arranged. “If people have items they want assessed, they can bring them in or we can go to them,” Matt notes.

LAST WORD: “I thoroughly enjoy building relationships and providing a personalized experience for our customers,” Matt says when asked what he likes best about what he does. “It’s gratifying when someone finds a piece they respond to and it becomes part of their home and personal story.”