A new antique shop by the name of Swing Back was introduced to the Bel Air community Friday.

The store, at 31 W. Courtland St., is owned by Michele Mitchell, 52, of Jarrettsville.

Growing up, she loved creating memories with her family. One of them included being pushed on the swings by her grandfather.

“When you were there, you felt like a bird,” she said. “You were swinging, you were high, you were happy. Everything was just great up there.”

When selecting a name for the store, she wanted to replicate that feeling and provide a space where guests could reminisce about family memories, share their family history with others, and purchase new items that will create new memories.

“When you walk in, my purpose was to tell a story. I wanted you to walk in and feel like this was your home,” she said. “Maybe it was a couch that you sat on at your grandmother’s house. Maybe it was a book that your grandmother read to you, but I wanted it to feel like you could come in and hang out.”

Before starting her own business, Mitchell worked at Shrewsbury Antique Center in Pennsylvania, where she fell deeper in love with vintage items. Her home is also filled with so many pieces that she’s slowly running out of space to place them.

To find items to place in the store, Mitchell attends auctions, searches thrift shops and peruses estate sales.

Mitchell hopes one day that guests will bring items they’ve found to sell or repurpose. To kickstart this, Mitchell invited Jane Woltereck, whom she worked with at Shrewsbury, to bring her items and sell for a commission.

Similar to Mitchell, Woltereck browses through consignment shops, Facebook Marketplace and subscription lists for people who are selling things.

Throughout Swing Back, Woltereck has large furniture pieces like chairs and couches, lamps, artwork and decorative items.

Each season, they intend to rotate the selection and set up sale tents to make room for new items.

The hand-painted "Welcome" sign that Swing Back is raffling off during its grand opening weekend. Owner Michele Mitchell handcrafted the sign and many others that sit throughout the store. (Shaela Foster/Staff)
The hand-painted “Welcome” sign that Swing Back is raffling off during its grand opening weekend. Owner Michele Mitchell handcrafted the sign and many others that sit throughout the store. (Shaela Foster/Staff)

In the future, Mitchell hopes to have a larger space, but in the meantime, she and Woltereck look to deepen their connection with the Bel Air community.

“We just want to be a part of the community … add something and be a welcoming part of the community,” Woltereck said.

Swing Back is closed Mondays and Tuesdays, and open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesdays, Thursdays and Sundays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Fridays and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays.

Have a news tip? Contact Shaela Foster at sfoster@baltsun.com or 443-826-5894.