Women Who Move Detroit – 2023 – Special Section
AMANDA BURGESS-PROCTOR
Owner
LOCATION:
Dee Dee’s Fine Vintage
288 W. 14 Mile Rd.
Clawson, MI 48017
248-780-1700
info@deedeesfinevintage.com
@deedeesfinevintage
A criminologist and former Oakland University professor, Amanda Burgess-Proctor spent two decades working in, researching, and teaching about the criminal justice system with a focus on women and girls. Then a series of life-altering circumstances prompted her to pursue other passions.
“What started out as a therapeutic hobby – fixing up and painting old furniture – rapidly evolved into something more substantive. After a sale held in my garage was surprisingly successful, I began to believe that Dee Dee’s could become an actual business.” Amanda opened a brick-and-mortar shop in a 1923 brick bungalow in Clawson, and eventually resigned her faculty position to become a full-time entrepreneur. Though she changed careers, she did not leave behind her advocacy for women.
Dee Dee’s is named after Amanda’s late mom who loved antiquing. The specialty décor and furnishings shop features vintage and antique furniture that has been lovingly refreshed and reimagined by Amanda and the other women on her team. Dee Dee’s retail partners are local women-owned small businesses whose products are handcrafted in and around Detroit. Her mother-inlaw handmakes their décor pillows, throw blankets, and tea towels. Even the organic cotton pillow inserts they use come from a woman-owned farm in upstate New York.
“I want to ensure that people can feel good about spending their money on the items available at Dee Dee’s. I believe there is good energy in these much-loved pieces, and we work hard to honor their original beauty while updating and refreshing them for the modern home.”
