Our Story

I come from a long line of thrifters and lovers-of-old-things. As a kid, I would often accompany my grandmother, Dorothy, to Salvation Army (Sally’s as we called it), flea markets, and yard sales. I loved the hunt and satisfaction of finding a really cool piece, and then learning more about it. Dorothy’s parents, my great-grandparents, were antique dealers in midcoast Maine. That’s me in the photo below, hanging out with my mom, grandmother, and great-grandmother on the front porch of their store (and home) in Searsport, in the early 1980’s. Occasionally, when I have a really miraculous find, I feel like Dorothy might still be with me.

In 2021, I left a career in higher education to focus on Monstera full-time. That’s when we opened our brick and mortar shop in Portland, Maine, where I also live with my partner, two dogs, and a very dog-like cat. Every chance we get, we’re searching up, down, and across New England (sometimes further) for interesting vintage and antique finds. We’re passionate about research and provide as much detail as we can about each item we list. More often than not, there is a story to be told- and that’s where the magic lies for us. Check out our blog, Modern Vintage, for more on where our sourcing adventures have taken us.

Our shop is highly curated, with new items added weekly. We are eclectic: kitschy and refined, utilitarian and whimsical. We have particular soft spots for original art, ephemera, mid-century wood, and all the brass.

Thank you for visiting and we hope you love what you find.

-Abigail

Owner, Monstera Vintage

Abigail as a baby, her mom (Georgiana), grandmother (Dorothy) and great-grandmother (Beatrice)

Abigail with her dogs, Tuna and Freya on the beach

Prudence the cat, sitting picture-purrfect