An 1800s Camera, 1960 Western Flyers, Retro Chairs, Historic Pieces At Eclectic Store

ST. PETERSBURG, FL — The story and history behind a piece of retro furniture can add more value to it for some people, such as Retrospect Furniture owner Samir Khemiri.

Before Khemiri opened his 16th Street North store, he had a similar business on Central Avenue, Expectations, and closed the business when the building's new owners in 2014 raised the monthly lease to $10,000 a month. Retrospect Furniture opened at the beginning of 2020 and then closed a few weeks later for five months because of the coronavirus pandemic.

"I opened the Retrospect doors later in the summer of 2020, and a lot of my customers from Central Avenue were able to find me by word of mouth," Khemiri said in a Patch interview.

Khemiri travels all over to find eclectic household items. Retrospect has furniture and interior decor from all over the world and different eras. A Patch reporter saw a wagon used in the Civil War sitting outside the business. Another historic piece at his business was a camera built in New York City during the 1800s.

"This camera, I bought from a designer, and it's a really nice piece — a historic piece," Khemiri said. "Not anybody is going to buy it unless they know the story behind it. When a customer comes into my store, I introduce it and let them know the history it has. They appreciate that."

Khemiri pointed out two 1960 Western Flyer bicycles he purchased from a collector, and a Mediterranean lamp made out of goatskin. A Patch reporter felt as if she was in a museum and he was the curator. Khemiri said he has been fascinated with antiques and retro furniture his whole life. He said he had plenty of exposure to those styles when he lived in Stockholm, Sweden.

Pieces in his store come from many countries such as France, England, Ireland and Japan.

Retrospect Furniture, 1820 16th St. North, St. Petersburg, is open Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and is closed Sundays and Mondays.

More information is available by calling 727-400-5113 or emailing info@retrospectfurniture.com.