YOU KNOW HOW every once in awhile you discover this treasure of a place and you can’t wait to tell family and friends, “You have to go there!”
Honestly, that’s my feeling toward Stockholm. Wisconsin. Not Sweden.
I’ve already published two posts on Stockholm—about J. Ingebretsen’s av Stockholm and Chandler’s Books, Curios.
Today you’re going to get another look at one of the shops tucked into this quaint Lake Pepin-side village of 89, just across the Mississippi River from Minnesota.
We’re stopping at A+ Antiques & Oddities, billed as “2 floors of quality antiques & art, vintage, handmade & new items as well.”
Sometimes the building that houses a shop draws me in as much as the merchandise. Such is A+ Antiques, based in an old garage. With the overhead door flung open on an autumn afternoon, I walked right into this former auto repair shop (I assume) and marveled that the smell of grease didn’t linger in this space of white-washed cement block walls and a bank of windows in the rear overlooking the train tracks out back.
The overhead garage door entry into A+ Antiques & Oddities along Wisconsin 35 in Stockholm.
But if there were traces of grease or oil spots on the cement floor, I didn’t notice. Maybe because I was too busy gawking at the goodies, wishing my sister Lanae was here to try on hats, straightening a mannequin’s wig and wiggling my way around all the tight spaces with a camera bag on my hip.
Lots of merchandise, including these lamps, fill the old garage.
These casseroles caught my eye and I considered, just for a moment, purchasing them.
I found the mannequin as intriguing as her hat.
My sister Lanae is insisting the women in the family all wear hats for Christmas Eve church services. Perhaps the men should, too. I see some fine choices here for my brothers. Remember when men wore hats to church?
I should tell you right now that even though I really, really enjoy browsing in antique shops, I seldom buy anything. I’m a bargain shopper and prefer to purchase my vintage and/or antique treasures at garage sales. Yes, if you’re attentive to word usage, you would stop me right here and say, “But, Audrey, this is a garage sale.”
You would be right. And you would be wrong. Because you know what I mean.
I found plenty I wanted to buy. Bowls. A lamp. Perhaps a hat for my sister—if I could have decided which one. (She knows how I struggle with fashion choices.)
But the print of singing turkeys was not on my “I want” list.
I especially like vintage prints and paintings, but not this one. Would you buy it?
When I saw this piece of art, I felt my face involuntarily screw up into an expression of disgust. It would make the perfect Thanksgiving hostess gift, as long as you aren’t coming to my house for Thanksgiving.
After perusing the first floor of merchandise, I walked outside, around the building and down the hill, following the path of bales, to the basement. I stepped inside. The Lone Ranger and Tonto greeted me. Childhood memories flashed before my eyes.
Awaiting me on the lower level...the Lone Ranger and Tonto. "Hi-ho, Silver!"
That happens to me often whenever I browse in an antique store. And I suppose that’s as it should be, because, truly, aren’t sales connected to memories?
No memories in this metal box for me. But perhaps for someone.
FYI: If you want to shop at A+ Antiques & Oddities, make haste to Stockholm. Wisconsin. Not Sweden. The store is open Thursdays – Sundays until November 15 only, after which it closes for the season.
The shopkeepers at A+ Antiques & Oddities.
All of Stockholm doesn’t close down, however. Many upcoming special events are planned, including Stockholm Women’s Weekend this Saturday, November 5, and Sunday, November 6. Click here for more information.
© Copyright 2011 Audrey Kletscher Helbling
Minnesota Prairie Roots 
Gotta love places like this!
I do.
So did you end up buying anything?
The head with the beard is interesting. *lol* I have never seen something like that. Looks like a fun place to poke around.
No, I didn’t buy anything and certainly not that turkey print. But I should have purchased those casseroles. I just love the colors and patterns.
I would LOVE to go to a town like that, but no, I don’t think I could bring myself to buy the Turkey Chorus print. A little on the creepy side, for sure!
Stockholm is the cutest little town. Not a place you want to take the kiddos, but a good place for a couple’s get-away. I didn’t fully explore the town, meaning a return trip next year. I’ll check then to see if the Turkey Chorus is still there singing.
I would love to!!! By the way i bought the singing turkeys for you and the fed ex man is dropping them off, i think that deep down you want them to hang in your kitchen where everyone can see them! c
Surely you jest, right? About wanting the turkey print and then buying it for me?
Yes, she is jesting. I know, because I (imagine the word “I” in bold and italics) have the turkey print on hold. It will go great in my dining room. This, I’ m certain, will leave you wondering what else is in my dining room and whether or not one should accept a dinner invitation from me. But I am happy with it.
So YOU bought the turkey print after viewing it on my blog? Perhaps you could mention this to the folks at the antique shop? And, yes, I would like to hear what other art you have hanging on your dining room wall.
The casserole dishes are my favorites. I have a collection of them.
You are a lucky girl to have these in your kitchen.
There’s something about that turkey painting that makes me want it. 🙂 I just discovered Stockholm this past summer, after taking our girls blueberry picking, and had some fun at that garage sale myself. I hope you were blessed with a piece of pie in your tummy, too – across the street at Stockholm Pie?
Oh, the pie! The pie! Unfortunately, I was too full from a wonderful lunch in Wabasha to enjoy a piece of pie. However, I did peek inside the Stockholm Pie Company and the scent of pie made me long for a slice. Next time. And there will be a next time given we did not have adequate time to fully explore this treasure of a village.
As for that turkey print, apparently one of my readers saw my photo and has the print on hold to purchase.
Hi, Nice job on the blogs of our sweet little piece of heaven here in Stockholm. I am “farmerrebecca” on twitter and I live in the “township” so I am not part of the 82 or 97 or however many residents there currently are from last census.
We bought a farm in the Stockholm Township in 05 mainly because of the land and the BARN! Being from Edina Mn, it was amazing to be welcomed into the community! The barn dances at Maiden Rock Winery and Cidery were our first impression of the community and people were so nice!
Now I live here at the farm and still in 2011 I am in amazment and wonder at where I find my life and my Style going . . . come visit us again! and thanks for the nice blogs!
I have more secrets to tell some other time . . . rebecca
Well, Rebecca, you have given me even more reasons to return to the Stockholm area. A barn dance. A winery and cidery. And then those secrets you have to share. Enticing. All enticing.
I would love to know the origins of that SInging Turkey’s print. Some years ago my mother looked after an old lady who lived in Feilding (New Zealand) and the same print was on the wall. I took a photo of it (I think I’m in the minority who like it).
Readers, can any of you provide info on the Singing Turkeys print? Most assuredly an interesting story must exist behind the creation of this work of art.
I’m loving your blog. Hopefully one day I’ll be able to visit from Tucson. I heard of your town when I visited Sweden two years ago. On an antique note – I have been searching for Red 8 sided water glasses. I have 3 but need 5 more. If you ever see these would you let me know? My red dish collection has been accumulated from Florida, Virgina, Utah and Arizona. Such fun to looking for those last pieces.
Just to clarify, Virginia, I live in southeastern Minnesota and not Stockholm, Wisconsin. It’s good to hear that you’re enjoying my blog.
I’ve never heard of eight-sided water glasses. How interesting. I like vintage drinking glasses and have quite a collection myself acquired mostly from garage sales. I use them every day.