After nearly 30 years on Toronto’s Queen Street West, Red Indian Art Deco (536 Queen Street West, 416.504.7706) is closing its doors May 7. Shop owner Brad Hill is moving his business to a converted church in Sauble Beach up on the Bruce Peninsula. “I’m going back to my roots in real Art Deco,” says Brad, “no more of this ’60s and ’70s stuff.”
It’s true that Red Indian has slipped a few rungs on the provenance ladder in the past decade. Once upon a time Hill made regular shopping trips to France and England where he stocked up on genuine ’30s and ’40s pieces, like the breathtaking sycamore armoire, below ($5,200). But rising oil prices and shipping costs put an end to the overseas sprees and he became a dealer of more recent vintage furniture and decorative items.
Don’t get me wrong, Hill’s still got some great pieces on the floor, with more coming out of storage in the weeks ahead. And with prices slashed from 20 – 70 per cent, you can score some sweet deals before the lights go out.
Hill had some amazing coffee tables last week; the one above is marked down to $115 and the one below, with its classy, Knoll-style base is $175.
If you’re a collector of Deco-era tchotchkes then run don’t walk to this sale. Hill has old clocks, vases and decorative objects galore, most of them marked down 40 per cent.
Other items that caught my eye were the side tables below left ($50 for the pair), the cool 50s wall clock ($100) and the little Alvar Aalto-style stool/side tables ($40 for the pair). So long Red Indian, we’ll miss ya!
February 10th, 2009 at 8:28 pm
ohhhh dear, I may need the second round coffee table and the glass and metal side tables. so nice. I am sad to see them closing. they have always been a good place to find treasures!
February 11th, 2009 at 2:40 pm
Oh I am so sad! I love this place, I’ve gotten some awesome items for myself and my clients. I own a 1950′s breadbaox and a great vintage chair. Thanks for posting- I must say bye to Brad!
February 11th, 2009 at 4:04 pm
I furnished a house from this place back in the 90s; a deco sofa set, lamps, mirrors, a plant stand. I hate to see it go.
February 12th, 2009 at 12:21 am
Could it be true, this long time treasure is leaving Toronto!!! Ahhh, but there is good news after the sad fact!!!! Upon checking out the sales today, I was relieved to hear Brad is re-locating to beautiful Sauble Beach. He showed me the photos of the Old Zion Methodist Church he bought just at the edge of this beach resort town on Lake Huron, just 2 hours from Toronto. Brad has been actively stocking up new pieces over the last year along with some of his own personal collection for his Grand Opening Day on July 01st. He says it will be mind blowing, the best he’s ever had to offer. With 2 full floors full of antiques along with a huge parking lot which will host other Antique Dealers and collectors for his Grand Opening Day. He has some maps with directions and more info at the shop to give out, while they last. Won’t be called the Red Indian anymore. He says there are some native reserves in the area, so not politically correct to keep the old name.. The new name Sauble Beach Antiques. I Googled Sauble Beach Ontario. Can’t wait to be there.
October 27th, 2009 at 12:52 pm
http://toronto.en.craigslist.ca/tor/atq/1439872278.html