Olive Branch, Mississippi. 1967, it’s where Melissa Clements was born and raised, learned to strip furniture and do things for herself. A foundation for what would become Clements dream to own and manage her own consignment shop; something she is doing today in the heart of Seminole Heights. Clements merged her Temple Terrace Design Buy Consign shop with her new location and new name – Vintage Post Marketplace which is at the site of the old Seminole Heights post office. You'll find funky, eclectic finds and unique farm tables with new merchandise coming in several times a week.
A self-proclaimed tomboy who grew up with four brothers, Clements enjoyed playing on her family’s dairy farm and would be outside all day while her father, uncles, and grandparents worked. She always had a passion for finding something old and refurbishing it into something new.
Clements' Vintage Post Marketplace is a dream come true. She's thrilled with her 9,000 square foot space which offers furniture and housing accessories, lighting and fixtures, clothing and artwork and vintage novelty pieces. It's a decorator’s candy store where you can find one of a kind furnishings and more. Her shop takes vendors too, something unique to the consignment business. Each vendor has their own space, is free to set up their own display and make changes to inventory as needed.
Vintage Post Marketplace is a family affair with Clements niece and nephew running many of the day-to-day operations. They’re handy too. Nephew Russell Treadway makes and refinishes furniture and fixtures. He has handmade chandeliers on display as well as several stunning farm tables. Sister Lauren runs the desk and is queen of the shop’s social media.
Seminole Heights resident Earl Garland sold an entire house full of furniture to Clements then to her surprise asked her to help him furnish his new house with pieces from the Market. Garland notes the staff is wonderful and knowledgeable, he stops by every week to see what’s new, even if he just has 10 minutes to shop. “I just adore the shop. It’s funky, crazy vintage stuff. High end, wonderfully priced.”
Rebecca Schleifer, a home stager, and owner of Cardinal Home Designs uses the shop for her business. Schleifer says she loves the shop, she comes for the convenience and pricing and thinks a lot of Clements too. Rebecca shares, "Vintage Post is a go to for me as I am constantly trying to find unique pieces for homes I stage in the area. Their custom pieces are great and they are extremely competitive in their pricing. I can count on them weekly for great finds!"
Clements started her original shop after buying all of the furniture from a home builder who was going out of business, moving each piece themselves she had her start to what grew into Vintage Post Marketplace. She clearly has tenacity and grit. She's a self-taught decorator who isn't afraid to do the hard work herself. She's flipped houses, been a faux painter and school volunteer, called on restaurants for MOSI's Einstein On Food & Wine Festival for three years; and even went back to school for physical therapy.
Moving to Tampa as a teenager she is a Chamberlain High School alum and when she's not busy at the shop, one of her favorite things to do in Tampa is spending time with her family at one of our local beaches.
A must see, you can explore Vintage Post Marketplace at 5206 Florida Avenue, they are open daily. Check out their Facebook and Instagram pages to see a few of their funky, eclectic and oh so unique pieces! Be sure to check out our Guide to Shopping in Tampa and to Specialty Shopping for more.
