MIDTOWN HOME & VINTAGE MARKET

Megan Bright loves to put junk on a pedestal. Anything with a neglected, dilapidated exterior and even the tiniest glimmer of hope for a newfound purpose.

At Midtown Home & Vintage Market in Coeur d’Alene, her husband and business partner, Matt, has learned to always defer to Megan on this matter.

“Matt is a perfectionist when it comes to painting, where sometimes I think that chippy chair can be perfect as is!” Megan says with a laugh. “I’m still trying to teach him how to differentiate.”

The couple first met 15 years ago when she was working at a Gold’s Gym and he was hired to paint. They started dating, and Megan eventually ended up working alongside Matt for his remodeling business. While she loved working with her would-be husband, however, Megan was drawn to a more artistic painting approach.

“The first time I refinished a thrift store dresser, I was hooked,” she says. “The fact that I could make a living at it was exciting.”

She soon started selling this upcycled furniture in area vintage shops, including Junk on Fourth Street in Coeur d’Alene. In 2016,

Junk’s then owner offered Megan and Matt the chance to buy the business. They jumped at the opportunity, Megan recalls.

Within the couple’s first year of owning Junk, they won an Inlander Best Of award, followed by three more wins before moving up Fourth Street to their current location in 2019 and rebranding as Midtown Home & Vintage Market.

Walking into Midtown Market, it’s clear this is no quick stop, but more of a day trip through the land of upcycled, vintage and eclectic.

Upcycled furniture, vintage home décor, lighting, clothing and jewelry displays are all beautifully curated by 60 vendors into ideas upon ideas for customers to marvel at, glean from and realize as their own for reasonable price points.

“We’ve built something we’re proud of and are focused on keeping things going strong with great customer service, high quality of goods and staying on trend,” Megan says. “Matt and I make a great team and couldn’t do it without each other.”

Matt & Megan in Midtown — sounds like a new HGTV series to me.

— RENÉE SANDE

Washington Trust Bank

When

BEST FURNITURE WALKER’S FURNITURE

“The furniture I have bought at Walker’s lasts, and they have great selection.” (Deborah M.); “Exceptional people providing an exceptional shopping experience!” (Nicole R.)

2nd PLACE: The Tin Roof; 3rd PLACE: Dania NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: Runge Furniture BEST

STURM HEATING & AIR CONDITIONING

“Great friendly service.” (Mindy B.); “Always there when you need them!” (Gail D.)

2nd PLACE: Holliday Heating & Cooling

3rd PLACE: Banner Furnace & Fuel NORTH IDAHO’S BEST

BILL’S HEATING & A/C, POST FALLS

“Very responsive — a knowledgeable rep was out the next morning, and we had a written bid within hours. All completed within a week… in the middle of winter!” (Roberta W.)

Best Flooring

BROTHERS FLOORING & DESIGN SPOKANE/POST FALLS

If the time has come for something new underfoot, readers say browsing in one of Brothers Flooring and Design’s two retail locations is a great first step. But if the immutable knowledge that your floors have just got to go arrives in the middle of the night, hop on their website, upload a photo to the online viewer and enjoy the instant gratification of seeing your space in myriad newly floored ways. (AM)

2nd Place: Spokane Floors

3rd PLACE (tie): Carpet Barn; United Floor Coverings

Best Plumbing Firm

BULLDOG ROOTER & GOLD SEAL PLUMBING (TIE)

It may not appear particularly glamorous to work in the plumbing trade, but few people who arrive at your door in a “time of need” are more warmly welcomed. Whether these experts are stopping water from flowing where it shouldn’t, or helping “things” to resume flowing as they absolutely must, and quickly, readers say the plumbing pros at Bulldog Rooter and Gold Seal Plumbing are always ready to assist. (AM)

2nd PLACE: Peck Plumbing & Heating

3rd PLACE: Mainstream Electric, Heating, Cooling & Plumbing