Vintage is in. If you doubt that, you haven’t been lookingaround in the industry. Not only has there been a trend to move back to drinks
and foods from the 50s and 60s, restaurateurs are embracing the look of that
era. One of the easiest ways to do that is to invest in vintage-look restaurant
furniture booths that are being made today.
Why Booths?
Booths offer several advantages you won’t find in any other
type of restaurant furniture. First, they just about eliminate the need for
passing room. Even with folks sitting on both sides of the booth there is no
clearance space required. Second, they are ideal for families with young kids;
no escapees. Finally, they really suit diners who want an intimate setting
because they create an enclosed, private area without you losing floor space.
Where Do You Get Vintage?
There are two sources of vintage booths you can consider;
refurbished booths and new ones. Many vintage booths are actually old booths
that have been completely renewed. They have been stripped, re-stained or
painted, and new seats have been installed and so forth. These classics have a
great deal of appeal, especially if you are trying to recreate a specific look.
If your goal is retro, this is a great place to start.
As is always the case with restored pieces, you want to make
sure that the work has been done by professionals. After all, your reputation,
and the client’s bottom, will be resting on it. Vintage is often a euphemism
for old, so ask questions about the provenance of any booths you intend to
purchase.
If you choose to go with new booths that are designed to look
vintage you have some advantages. New furniture usually comes with some sort of
warranty. It also has been made to current code. With the right supplier, you
can truly customize your look so that your furniture blends in with your design
with no additional work.
More Things to Consider When Shopping
Not all booths are the same size. When you purchase new
booths, their size is usually standardized. Older booths may have been smaller.
Get accurate measurements from the distributor so you can plan your floor
space. What was designed for 6 in the past may only work for 4 now.
Materials have also changed. Even if you want to go with
restored units, consider moving to a modern material that mimics the original.
This will give you the advantage of stain protection or ease of cleaning.
Formica and metal trims may have aged in older booths as well. You may need to
recover all of your units if you want a consistent look.
Vintage doesn’t have to mean investing in older models; you
can get the same look by talking to your supplier and asking them what options
exist for turning their current stock into look-alikes. The end result can look
exactly the same.