Classic Retro at Pete’s

Classic Retro has the rarest and the best mid-century merchandise in the Midwest, hands down!My wife and I have bought from Pete and admired his finds since his shop was located on West 7th. Don't be fooled by the cluttered look and the eccentric owner. Classic Retro is packed from top to bottom with the rarest and the most beautiful mid-century modern items produced during the last century. After collecting for 20 years now, I can confidently say that you need to go to the West Coast, the East Coast, or (possibly) Chicago to find stuff as rare as you'll find in Pete's shop.This isn't Salvation Army, a thrift store, or one of the run of mill stores in the "Retro Loop". Be prepared to fork out some dough. Most items sell for hundreds or thousands of dollars. There are a handful thrifty items that are less than 100 bucks. But mostly, this is the best-of-the-best.Pete doesn't have stickers on most of his items. But his prices are fair. I've compared his prices to the same items (if I can find them) on Ebay or on 1st Dibs and he charges fair, "Minnesota prices", not crazy "Los Angeles prices". He also has a photographic memory. I'm not kidding. He'll tell you them same price a year later. And he'll also tell you the designer, the manufacturer, and the year something was produced--amazing!Thanks, Pete, for finding some incredible items over the years!-Daddy Maxx Retro

Let me start by being ridiculously honest. The bad: I think stores like Retro Pete's cater to people who want to pretend they are creative and artsy enough to be retro but aren't actually clever enough to come up with the look themselves. So they get into their fancy cars and drive down to good ol' Pete's and pay way too much money for something that would be an amazing find if it were ten dollars at a thrift store or even an old antique store but instead is a laughable 100 dollar purchase.Also, there is a huge difference between being fun and kitchy in your decorating and trying so hard to look retro you wind up looking stupid, and most of Retro Pete's merchandise is more Retro geek than Retro chic.Whew. Got that out of my system. (I can be a bit snarky)The good: Well... the sign out front is cool. And if you aren't afraid paying big big dollars you can occasionally find a neat chair or something. I guess.Bottom Line: Not my favorite but I am biased. Save your money and search thrift stores.

Liked this place since on West 7th.I think some people miss the point. YES I could theoretically scour every estate sale in the metro and find a lot of midcentury treasure for next to nothing, even now. The midwest is amazing for this - BUT I don't have time.I lose money doing that and actually save money when someone intelligent and dedicated to that as their livelihood - does that instead.It's not that people don't have the information, the taste and the knowledge, some of us just do not have the requisite time.So if you are able to make sourcing stuff your major pasttime, then by all means, you can get it cheaper. Everyone knows that.Pete knows his stuff, it's evident in the selections. Clean and consistent design sensibility. Lovely glass, particularly. Helpful and kind with my "walk away from it" moments, too.

When I walked in. My heart started beating faster and my mouth was probably drooling a little. My dream had come true - items I longed to have were waiting there and I finally see them in real life, not just online. So many items to add to my collection. I was so excited!Then... I asked for a price (because about half the items are actually priced with a label)The guy knows what he has. Therefore, he marks it up. A lot. I'm not sure how other reviewers say it's marked a little higher. I saw several items that I wanted and had to have but the price was so high! As one reviewer said - "could you find it cheaper somewhere else, sure?" Well these prices were a hell of a lot more than online + shipping + waiting + anything else that sucks about buying online. Honestly I could have spent over $500 if his prices were at least some what reasonable. I am collector of several pieces he had in there, I've been doing it for a long time and know what something is worth. This was ridiculous. It kind of reminded me of being in a hoarder's house - stuff everywhere. He marks up the price just so he doesn't have to sell it. He's attached. If you're willing to pay the high price then he will part with it.Will I stop in again? Maybe - maybe not. Should you stop in? Sure but be prepared to pay much more than an item is worth. Even though he says they "sell online for this price". Because they don't.

Expensive. Nice stuff but super crowded and stuff not priced. This is super annoying when owner is busying shooting the shit with others and you have to interrupt to find out price. Also found cute old poster with 9.99 price tag on back. Owner says isn't that great, I say yes and it's only 9.99, he says oh that's not my tag. That's what I paid for it. I will give it to you for $70 On and by the way it did have glass but that broke. Oh will since it had wrong tag on it I will give it to you for $60. I think not. Maybe I screwed up and how about $20 and I doubled mg money. No the owner kind of arrogant and I won't go back. On and looked and some quality vintage hawaiian shirts. $400 and $450. I almost laughed at him them found same shirt in great quality on eBay for $45. Sorry dude I concur with other reviewers and don't think he wants to part with stuff!!! Also parking was a pain but found lot behind but not sure if its ok to park there. Not worth the trouble

I am totally into the way things were............you dig? And I have been visiting this place since it was on 7th in St. Paul. This guy really knows his stuff, therefore it is a little pricey, however you get what you pay for.Walking into this place is like walking into a time warp.Totally Boss, Peter.Tell em the ZERO sent ya.

We were in here today, window shopping. The store offers an interesting range of products, focusing on "midcentury." Unlike the previous reviewer, I noticed items ranging in price from a buck or two on up. Could you find some of this stuff cheaper on Craigslist, or on your own? In theory, sure. On the other hand, if Pete's (or anywhere else) has what you want, you can make a concrete determination of bang for the buck. Buy, or don't, but don't slam the dude for selling--or give a one star review because you don't accept the premise of the store. Anyways...I thought the inventory was interesting and of a wide price range. There were some very nice pieces there (an art deco desk, a couch/chair/ottoman combo) that were not unfairly priced. Owner Pete Vento was about as friendly as could be, even after we made clear we were "just looking." Worth a trip, for sure.

perhaps 3.5 stars? no, the selection is good enough for a 4 star review.so.... this place has an AMAZING selection. AMAZING!!!!! it's a mid century modern collector's wet dream. it's also pretty high priced. I mean, yeah, he could make more selling it on ebay, but still, in a shop in MN its a bit overpriced. great as a museum or a collector with $$$ to burn.The owner is pretty nice but VERY cocky and slightly pushy.

Am a frequent guest to Retro Petes shop, one of my favorities in the Twin Cities. Pete is very knowledgeable on all things Danish Modern and takes the time to also educate those that may not know what they are looking at. To the casual shopper, some view the stuff he sells as junk, but one's man junk is another man's treasure. I have bought numerous things over the years at his shop and while yes, his prices are fairly high, he will be willing to negotiate with you if you are a good customer. He isn't going to get beat on many items though, he definately knows what the stuff is worth. I am happy to have his shop in the Twin Cities, i just wish he moved closer to the Uptown/Lakes area as the location isn't best. Pete's is FAR better than any other shop in the Loop. The one knock I'll throw out is that it is always way too crowded in the shop and very disorganized. I think Pete would do much better if the layout was different.

Can not recommend enough, if you like true gems from the middle of the century this is the place for you. The owner is extremely knowledgeable in what everything in the store is. So many wonderful things to look at and it's been getting cleaner since the remodeling of university ave 10/10