Behind the Scenes with Antique Liquidators of Charleston

Letha Polk turned her personal passion for vintage pieces into a career when she launched Antique Liquidators of Charleston. Specializing in liquidating high-end estates—hence the name—the firm manages a smorgasbord of antique and vintage finds at a time, all in their 9,000-square-foot Charleston warehouse. Whether it’s a pair of Adrian Pearsall chairs or a midcentury Lucite lamp in the shape of a clamshell… you’ll be able to find it.

We spoke with Letha about how she built her business, how she managed sourcing during the pandemic, and which types of pieces are moving these days. See what she had to say, and be sure to shop all her company’s offerings on Chairish.

First and foremost, how did Antique Liquidators of Charleston get its start? And how did you select the name?

My love for antiques evolved into a hobby, which then evolved into a career. As I started selling antiques, people asked me to sell their pieces for them. This quickly turned into a liquidation company—I specialize in estates consisting of mostly antiques and designer furniture and accessories. Hence the name “Antique Liquidators of Charleston.” I enjoy the diversity of products that are available to me through doing estates. I also feel that I’m helping to make sure the items are precious to new owners, just as they once were to the owners of the estates.

You carry a wide variety of antiques as well as small decor pieces. How do you manage your sourcing? 

Much of my sourcing comes from the estates, or partial estates, that I liquidate. I also travel all over, selling and buying when I travel. I typically go on a buying trip every month. 

How was sourcing affected by the pandemic, and how did it affect business overall? Did you pivot the way you work as a result of changes in the industry over the last two years?  

Of course, the pandemic was a surprise to everyone in our industry. As items became harder to order and receive, vintage and antique items became the best source for furnishings that could reach the customers in a timely manner! A new appreciation for our products caused a flurry of business. We almost couldn’t keep up with the demand! 

The online business became a necessity to find a selection that wasn’t available anywhere else. And when shows reopened, there was a frenzy of customers in need of items after waiting so long to buy!  I do believe that the interest in antiques will continue to be strong; there are so many designers now incorporating them into their work. And the mix of old with new gives such warmth to a home. Rather than a trend of necessity, I think it will always be the favored look to mix. Customers learned how to buy vintage and antique during the pandemic and resulting supply shortage. I think it was good to have a reason to learn, if they didn’t already know. And now they will continue. 

Have you seen more customers coming through digital methods like Chairish? Do you see that having an effect on how designers shop for vintage, in particular?   

I saw people turning to Internet shopping who had never really used it as a source. I think the shipping aspect may have been a major stumbling block for people who weren’t accustomed to buying antiques online. With Chairish handling that for the customers, I think it opened up a whole new group of shoppers that simply didn’t know how to overcome the fear of shipping large, often fragile, things. I think from now on, these vintage newcomers will be longtime customers for us. Now they have the vintage bug! Buying on Chairish helps customers become more familiar with the items, too. I think the idea of buying “the unknown” antique was intimidating. It’s a process to become familiar with what to look for.

In terms of the brick and mortar business, how has business been at your showroom? What is the design scene in South Carolina like right now?

I have a space at 17 South Antiques in Charleston. The business has been crazy busy since the pandemic and merchandise flies out as quickly as the dealers can get it in the store! My warehouse is only open by appointment, mostly only to the trade. So I have had a huge increase in designer business as my inventory is massive. They can come pick up items that they need for projects without having to order items that have manufacturing delays. I’ve noticed that designers in South Carolina are starting to incorporate more midcentury and postmodern pieces in their design to mix with the more traditional antiques that have always been standbys in our designs here, especially in historic Charleston. 

What types of pieces do you see moving these days? What are the patterns in terms of what’s selling right now?   

Because of the new influx of vintage and antique buyers, I think it would be hard to say what I consider to be the trends in the market. It’s across the board these days… traditional casegoods, vivid art (both antique and modern), organic stone mixed with pieces in leather and accessories in clay, bright and whimsical upholstery, rich velvet, vintage rattan, classic Chinese Chippendale with a twist…the list goes on. Any high-quality, beautifully designed antique or vintage item is highly desirable right now! Someone who has an eye for great design can take almost any piece and showcase it to look fabulous in a space. It’s all in how it’s styled. Seeing antiques used so much in shelter magazines now is great for the buyer who might need a little help with pulling the look together. 

What’s a dream piece you’d love to own yourself?

My dream piece to own changes daily! I love so many it’s hard to pin it down to one. I own a Bottega d’Arte Bartolozzi chair, so I consider it my original dream piece.

Do you see any upcoming trends in terms of what’s next for the design world? What types of pieces do you hope to stock next?  

As dealers, I feel that we can help to set trends. So we wait until those magical pieces appear in our searches. We present them, hopefully they’re purchased and then staged beautifully, published in a shelter magazine… and a new trend is set! At least that’s what I’d like to think.

Are there any styles or trends you’d like to see disappear in the design world right now?  

I have “looks” I prefer and some I don’t. However, I think it’s all in the presentation. I don’t typically like country, but when I see it beautifully presented, I like it.

Who are some of your favorite makers or designers, in terms of your own inspirations?  

I study shelter magazines and I watch design shows constantly. So I feel I get inspiration from every designer that I see, sell to, or even follow on Instagram. And, of course, the artist in me gets inspiration from every color in the sky, billboard images, clothing people wear, anything and everything that catches my eye. And most importantly, with a background in textiles, I am totally inspired by fabrics and textiles of any kind!

All images courtesy of Antique Liquidators of Charleston