Ozark Living December 2025 | Page 35

delivery service for large items.” Uptown Retro’ s clientele includes Mid-Century Modern( MCM) enthusiasts looking for specific pieces to add to their collection and those who are starting their MCM collection.“ Home and office designers and decorators looking for curated items for their clients, space stagers and realtors wanting to elevate the look of their sale properties,” Parent said.“ Anyone looking for a unique item from time gone by.”
For a long time, Parent had dreamed of having a boutique store. In 2023 she decided to have a booth at one of the local flea markets, however, everyone had a long waiting list. Thus, Uptown
Uptown Retro 1140 W Walnut St # 1, Rogers, AR 72756 Phone: 479-925-5594 Website: uptownretronwa. com Hours: Open Tuesday through Sunday
10:00 a. m. to 6:00 p. m. Closed Monday

Retro was born.
“ We opened in January of 2024,” Parent noted, the opportunity she had been dreaming of.
“ The 2024 tornadoes that ripped through our area skipped over Uptown Retro,” Parent continued.“ We were closed for only a week due to power outage. Another huge blessing in 2024 was the honor of being voted‘ Best of Northwest Arkansas.’ What a privilege this is considering we had only been open a few months.”
In addition being awarded in the Best of Northwest Arkansas contest, Uptown Retro has racked up a healthy supply of five-star ratings. Here is just a sample:
“ I absolutely love Uptown Retro and come in all the time.
The workers there are super friendly, and they constantly have new cute things! The prices are amazing too. 10 / 10 my favorite antique store in NWA” – McKenzie G.
“ This place is such a unique and fun flea market! They have high end items, with amazing prices! They even have freeze dried candies right outside their
We visited this Mid-century store for the first time! The staff were so kind & pleasant. This store is legit, it’ s a great place if you’ re looking for furniture, they have large pieces. Definitely worth your time! Shout out to Gloria, she is lovely & gave great recommendations for other places to visit as well! 10 / 10 experience.”
~ Adlyn T. arcade and Cafe One Eleven! A mix of vintage and retro!” – Lindsey R.
Gloria Parent grew up in San Antonio with her immigrant parents.“ My dad was an entrepreneur,” she said.“ He owned several properties and rented them to subsidize his income. He was always looking for ways to make extra money because he wanted to make sure we went to college. He was a big believer in education and encouraged us to always better ourselves.”
Parent went to college in Oklahoma City and moved to Rogers in 1994. Thus began her journey in Northwest Arkansas.
“ One of my biggest accomplishments was building a children’ s performance group from the ground up that gave children opportunities to share their talents with others,” Parent continued.“ We started with one and built up to 150 participants. We performed at festivals, civic clubs, and in Branson. It was amazing to see how the kids grew in confidence and how hard they worked on developing their talent. They sang, danced, played instruments and recited literature. They learned to become leaders and give back to the community.”
Parent believes that being able to bring elite finds to Northwest Arkansas is her way of serving the community.“ Bringing joy to
someone when they find just the right piece that will brighten up their home and that they will enjoy for a long time.”
Uptown Retro differentiates itself from other antique establishments by offering a variety of curated authentic vintage pieces.
“ Our MCM furniture comes from overseas and has sustained the test of time,” Parent said.“ All items are carefully chosen and displayed and our staff is available to help with decorating or staging suggestions for home or office.”
What Parent loves most about having Uptown Retro is the customers she comes in contact with on a daily basis.“ I love helping them find just the right piece they are envisioning and seeing how excited they are to get it home and put it in just the right place,” she said.
She also has strong feelings about her adopted home in Northwest Arkansas.
“ I am proud and excited about being a part of the business community in Rogers,” she said.“ I have lived in the area for over 30 years and have seen its growth and positive mindset impact small businesses. We have received support from other small businesses and the general public since before we opened last year.”
Uptown Retro is highly grateful for their customers, followers and the many kind reviews that have made them a successful business.
“ Thank you for your business and support,” Parent said.“ We are looking forward to being a viable part of NWA and serving the community for a very long time.”
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