Pulse BEAT
A STROLL DOWN AVERY LANE Darlene Richert curates one-of-a-kind finds at her Scottsdale store
BY MANDY HOLMES / PHOTO BY CLAUDIA JOHNSTONE
From designer sofas to antique furniture, Darlene Richert takes consignment to an elevated level at her Scottsdale-based store, Avery Lane. Most days, Richert is busy designing vignettes for her showrooms or meeting at clients’ estates to preview their consignment items, but her days didn’t always revolve around creativity and vintage furniture. “My past life was in corporate America working predominantly in the private golf development arena,” says Richert, who envisioned owning a tactile business that could provide a space for her kids to chip in and learn the value of hard work. “I wanted to create a place where my kids could have their first jobs and be part of a family business.” So, with a stylish eye and a network of local realtors and designers, Richert took a leap of faith and opened Avery Lane in 2012 without an ounce of retail or design experience. “I put a lot of blood, sweat and tears working endless hours, but that’s what it takes to get a small business up and running. It’s been a labor of love!” Today, with her children still part of the business, Richert’s customers come from all over the Valley seeking one-of-a-kind items including an 18th-century Italian ceramic fireplace, original oil paintings from Roberto Márquez, a carved wine cellar door from a ship dated 1667, and an ornate antique chinoiserie desk – all of which have made their way to the Avery Lane showroom. “I like to say our inventory revolves like a Parisian merry-go-round,” Richert says. A recent expansion in September added 11,000 square feet next door to Avery Lane’s original showroom, making the two a one-stop shopping experience. The addition, which features an expansive area of beds, nightstands and dressers and a wider selection of rugs, including luxury Persian and Tibetan varieties, also made Avery Lane the largest consignment store in the state – and one of the largest in the U.S. “We are extremely proud of our new showroom,” she says, noting Avery Lane is equally proud of its philanthropic pursuits, namely supporting Scottsdale Philharmonic, Rosie’s House, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, and Phoenix Theatre Company. “I’m also working with some furniture-makers to potentially create locally made pieces with the Avery Lane brand,” Richert says. “That’s a bit of a dream, but this whole journey has been a dream.”
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So Scottsdale! November ‘19