Experience the thrill of the hunt with these tips for finding the best sources of antiques in your area
Sometimes it takes as much sleuthing to find the stores, fairs and garage sales as it does to find that elusive antique. Here are some ways to find good sources for antiques near you.
Dee, the owner of Whistle Stop Antiques in my little town, warms right up when you ask her about how to find other local antiques resources. “Believe it or not,” she says, “the Yellow Pages is still the best place to start. We all have phones, so we’ll be in the book.”
OK, this may be a bit of an exaggeration, but you get the point. Many of the stand-alone stores that have survived this economy are, generally speaking, not a great choice for the average Joe. Even my wife, who is not cowed by anybody, will not enter an antiques store if she has to be buzzed in.
Independent antiques stores used to be my favorite haunt, but most have disappeared — especially on the West Coast.
A good antiques market will have a wide variety of dealers with quality merchandise, which is often just a taste of what they may have available in their home or shop. Don’t be shy about asking.
I find, by the way, that the later in the day we attend, the better price we are likely to get. Dealers would rather sell something at a discount than pack it up and take it home.
While you’re there, be sure to pick up the fliers and postcards promoting other fairs and markets. Soon your calendar, like ours, will have a street fair, market or show every weekend.
If I run into the occasional curmudgeon, I will steer clear in the future — but curmudgeons are rare among antiques dealers, in my experience.
There are wonderful old things in local shops and fairs and markets just waiting to be found. The search is an adventure, and the result is beauty in our homes. Good hunting!
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