Amanda Woytus
MoModerne trades in groovy older things: George Nelson slatted platform benches. Hans Wegner W2 chairs with the original caning. Blue Marimekko circle-patterned fabric lamps. But to shop owner Anna Weiss, her historic brick-and-mortar space in Webster Groves was beginning to feel stagnant. Earlier this year, Weiss celebrated MoModerne’s ninth anniversary as a standalone shop. It was a great home, she says, but “I think we squeezed the last drop of creativity out of it. It was feeling a bit too warehouse-reminiscent.”
Then came a moment of decision: The owner of the Webster building texted Weiss to say he was selling. She had 30 days to decide whether to purchase the building or move. After pondering her options, Weiss decided that a fresh start would be best. But where would she go?