Zach Kahler’s love for vintage runs in the family. The owner and curator of Alexander & Rose, an antique and mid-century design business, was inspired to start his own antique business by his grandmother.
“She was one of those fabulous socialite women of the 1950s and she had a closet that could probably put a celebrity to shame,” says Kahler. “I inherited a lot of lovely pieces from her, but I was always very close to her. We had a great relationship. I was always so fascinated by her because she was so glamorous and I was always just so enamoured by it all.”
Kahler founded Alexander & Rose four years ago, while working for his mom’s estate management firm, Estate Services Group. Alexander & Rose is an Instagram business that sells antique furniture, art, clothing and jewellery from the ‘40s to ‘70s that are sourced from estate sales and the community. Pieces don’t last long, and Kahler is in the business of finding unique items that are unlike items you might find at modern home decor stores.
“We live in a society that is so focused on mass consumption and mass production, and you’re basically buying, it’s called fast fashion, but you’re buying fast furniture,” says Kahler. “I’m all about quality. So, I do higher end vintage, like good quality, vintage items that you can have in your home for the next 30 years.”
Before the pandemic, Kahler partnered with local businesses for popup markets, where he’d bring a curated selection of Alexander & Rose items to sell on location. Now, he focuses mainly on the Campio Market Series, a popup market at Campio Brewing that he founded, and Alexander & Rose’s temporary retail store that is part of the Vignettes Brick & Mortar Festival.
Alexander & Rose shares a space with Las Vintage, a vintage clothing concept created by Lawless Vintage, Rylea Coyote and Tipsy Palm. Kahler is always adding his finds to the store, so there’s always something new to shop.
“We got to work with some awesome designers to create spaces that are reflective of what we do,” says Kahler. “It’s a whole new dynamic when they can actually come and see, touch and feel. The way we built the shop is kind of immersive, like you’re stepping back in time into your grandparents house from 50 years ago.”
Shop Alexander & Rose at the Vignettes Brick & Mortar Festival until August 31 at 10039 108 St. NW.
