I’M DRAWN TO ANTIQUE SHOPS. Not necessarily because I’m scouting for an antique or collectible. Rather, the history, the art, the nostalgia, the connection to childhood memories draw me inside.
In an antique shop I find a certain comfort remembering days past, of simpler times, of stories, of the saving of an object that once meant something to someone.
On a recent stop in the Minnesota river town of Jordan, I explored several antique and specialty shops, including LB Antiques along Water Street in the heart of downtown. Natural light poured through the lengthy front windows, adding warmth to a space that would work well as an art gallery. I always appreciate antiques grouped artfully in uncluttered settings.
Within LB Antiques, I saw the work of an artistic shopkeeper.
I delighted in the graceful curve of an unadorned water pitcher symmetrically balanced between two ornate angel candle holders.
Tucked into a mostly unseen floor space, a vintage clown graphic grabbed my attention. I’ve always appreciated graphics, a nod to my days working as a newspaper reporter, photographer and occasional page designer.
On a shelf, the contrast of utilitarian textured metal pots created visual interest against signage in bold hues of yellow, orange, red and pink.
Likewise, a fabric banner advertising the 1967 Saint Paul Winter Carnival contrasted with the day—an exceptionally warm February afternoon of temps reaching near 60 degrees.
My eyes were drawn, too, to a beer bottle from Ernst Fleckenstein Brewery, a long ago brewery in Faribault. I alerted a local collector to this mint condition bottle with the lovely gold-edged type face.
Even the block letters of a hand-printed sign soliciting merchandise caused me to pause and appreciate.
In a back room, albums—two for $1—were stacked on tables, awaiting anyone willing to take the time to sort through them. For a collector of vinyl, this would equal striking a jackpot.
That’s the thing about antique shops. What I might care about, another shopper would find of no interest. And vice versa. Our pasts shape our interests. And nowhere does that seem more evident than inside an antique shop.
TELL ME: Do you browse antique shops? Why? What draws you inside?
© Copyright 2017 Audrey Kletscher Helbling
“One man’s trash is another man’s treasure”..
You are correct on that.
My girlfriend and I love meandering through antique stores…to see all the unique items and reminisce…we can be entertained for hours in antique stores.
The entertainment factor is certainly a good reason to peruse antique shops.
Yes I browse antique shops and usually have an idea of what I am looking for (i.e. unique picture frames, decorative pieces that can add a pop of color to a room, etc.). I like that this shop tells you what they are looking for as well as the opportunity to bring in something that they might buy. The most interesting piece I have bought and brought home to decorate the Florida Room is a Tiki – he has a red/green turtle on top and a pineapple on the bottom and in between is his huge smile – very welcoming and a fun conversation piece. Happy Exploring – Enjoy Your Day 🙂
Your Tiki sounds like a great find. I like your approach to antique shopping.
I have to set my mind and budget otherwise it would be a free for all in an antique shop for me. Plus the possibilities are endless in those places – you can take a vase you like the shape of but not the color and paint it. There are so many paint/stain options now for glass, metal, wood, etc.
Good idea to set a budget…because you are right.
I’m not a huge fan of antiques, but I still like to walk through the shops, mostly just to see what there is, with an occasional, “Hey I remember those things”. I still have my box full of vinyl 45’s from the 70’s, cant imagine they are worth much, but someday I might see what someone would give me for them.
Vinyl has made a bit of a comeback. I still have my records from the 1970s also. Randy would like a record player.
You can buy record players pretty cheap now, we don’t have one either, it would be fun to listen to some of those 45’s again.
You’re right. Then that would mean I would have to find those albums buried somewhere in the back of a closet.
Forrest and I LOVE antiques. We don’t ever have anything in mind to purchase – though we did when we were first trying to add furnishings to our home. Now it’s more for entertainment – a way to enjoy getting out and just looking around. I love that so many small towns have hole-in-the-wall antique stores. Some of my best treasures have been found in those out-of-the-way places!
I like those types of places you define as “hole-in-the-wall.” You never know what you may find.
If I could be, I would be, looking at the antiques with you.
Well, you are looking at antiques with me here. 🙂
I like antiques as well, and estate sale shopping is one of my pastimes. For me, the history and stories of antiques are the main draw.
Those are two good reasons to be interested in antiques.
It is so relaxing to look at stuff and imagine the original purpose, what was life back in “those” days…
It is relaxing. I agree. Escapism.
Love looking, hate buying. My weakness are old history or biography books. On occasion, I just MIGHT find an article that I just can’t continue to live without but that is a rare occurrence indeed.
I am not surprised by your “weakness,” which seems a strength to me.
I am more a looker also, for financial reasons more than anything. Well, and also because at my age, I really don’t need more “stuff.”