Vintage collector Greg Martinez has long been drawn to retro wares. He was just 15 years old when he started raising his bidder card at estate auctions throughout Topeka. “Other people at the sales started educating me on jewelry, furniture, toys—all kinds of antique stuff,” Martinez says.
With more than 30 years of experience under his belt, Martinez now co-owns mid-century modern store Populuxe alongside Ray Cessna. In 2018, the business graduated from antique store booths and First Friday pop-ups to a 9,000-square-foot showroom in Midtown’s Martini Corner. The store’s name, a portmanteau of popular and luxury, is titled after a mid-century aesthetic defined by stylish chrome accents, pastels and striking geometric shapes.
Step inside Populuxue and you’ll find a meticulously curated collection of period-specific home goods. A starburst wall clock hangs above a low-profile tweed sofa. Colorful barware sits atop a teakwood sideboard with tapered legs. “We also have vintage clothing,” Cessna says. “There’s something for everyone.”…