COVER STORY | Vintage Shop Owners, Mark Allen and Mindy Schloss of Warehouse 55

Meet the Creative Entrepreneurs Behind Warehouse 55

AURORA/CHICAGO–Mark, his husband, and their two young daughters, live in Downtown Aurora in a 1909 Georgian revival a couple blocks away from Warehouse 55, a unique collection of vintage finds, repurposed furnishings, mixed with one-of-a-kind accessories.

Having been a vintage reseller and designer for over 20 years, Mark and his business partner Mindy Schloss, gathered a group of friends from his past vintage market experiences in downtown Naperville, and opened unique boutiques in Aurora and Chicago. 

With the added bonus of shopping vintage online or in-person, Aurora’s newly renovated industrial space has something for every aesthetic from MCM, rustic farmhouse, cottage chic and modern contemporary. 

What is hot in vintage home design for Spring/Summer 2025? 

Garden decor and lots of color.  Although traditional style decorating is on the rise, adding vintage to your home over new, traditional furniture is the trend.  Another big trend is mixing primitive furniture with your style, just by adding one piece can really change up the room and make it more inviting.  Painted furniture is on the decline.

What is trending in 2025 for overall home decor and design?

Moody colors, vintage pottery, vintage glassware, and vintage artwork. 

What are some specific items that have sold recently that have had a lasting impression and why?

Artwork, love how it has a story to people of while they are buying it 

Do you have vintage pieces in your home? What is the history or story behind the piece that intrigued your personal purchase

I have a lot of vintage collections in my home and one of my favorites is my vintage alabaster bird bath collection. I've been collecting them for years and some of my favorite ones are from Warehouse 55. 

I like to mix a variety of styles together.  One of my favorite spots is my family room where I have a very modern buffet with a big fancy French gold mirror above it. 

Another favorite item in my home is my lighting.  People that know me know my obsession for vintage chandeliers. Both of my stores are all lit up with vintage lighting from all over the world.  My personal favorites are in my home, with my favorite one in my guest room that came from a lovely couple in Galena.  It’s an 18 century French chandelier dripping in crystals. 

What is your personal go-to to spruce a room up quickly and inexpensively?

Accessories. I’m lucky to have a fairly large basement and I have a room with shelving where I keep different pieces that are readily accessible to create seasonal change from books to vintage glassware, to pottery.  Pillows are always a great, easy change.

-Kristen Kucharski, Photos by Mike Catuara