7 Great Places To Find Antique & Vintage Deals

Buying In-Person Has Its Advantages 

Dealers Hitting The Road Once Again

New York - ​While most antique dealers are aware of the fact that they can simply go online and tap, tap, tap, till their heart's content when it comes to sourcing out antique and vintage items, the question still remains for many in the industry as to whether or not this is truly the best option for those wanting to obtain the best possible inventory at the best possible prices. Yes, 'smalls' can be shipped, and online items can be viewed from the comfort of your home, but are you really getting the best resale deals for your business when hitting up sites like Chairish, scrolling Marketplace or watch-listing eBay?

For a growing number of dealers, that answer is increasingly becoming a hard no, as many in the industry are once again returning to a tried-and-true method for stocking up on inventory that allows for in-person inspection of items, point-of-sale haggling, and a load-and-leave option to bring it all home the same day. For those of a certain age, finding these honey-holes often used to require a secret handshake or possibly even a knowing-nod (wink, wink), but today, with a little intrepid investigating from staff writers, and some on-site tips from a few industry-insiders, we've put together a list of what we think are some of the best locales for sourcing out a variety of great antique and vintage finds from across the country, and in Canada too. 

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Large Venues With Multiple Dealers

​Adamstown, Pennsylvania
Adamstown, often referred to as Antiques Capital, USA, lies in Lancaster County. Here, around twenty antique and vintage stores beckon collectors with some unique finds and what many report as dealer friendly prices. Sheila Hayes, a long term east-coast picker and regular to the Adamstown scene, says this is the first and often best stop along her twice-yearly antique buying trip. "Prices are fair," she says, "but more importantly there's just so many quality items to choose from." Hayes believes this plentiful supply of quality pieces is what makes one-stop-shopping for her store a lot more possible. "They're showroom ready," she says, "and they tend to move quickly with buyers." Spots to hit: Black Angus Antiques Mall, a good collection of antique furniture, collectibles, and vintage jewelry (check hours of operation). Mad Hatter Antique Mall, over a hundred booths showcase a wide selection of vintage goods from a group of eclectic dealers. Extravaganza Sales; plan your visit during one of the area’s periodic antique sale events and you'll get additional discounts. Visitor numbers are still down somewhat post-pandemic, so haggling and deals should be expected.

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Quirky Vintage Items Abound

​Old Town Cottonwood, Arizona
Nestled in the scenic Verde Valley, Old Town Cottonwood boasts a world famous eclectic secondhand and vintage scene with a variety of shops and stores all within walking distance. Papillon Too; from antiques to vintage items, this is often considered a go-to staple for resellers looking for unique must-have top quality vintage items. Prices are on the higher end, but examples are often in pristine condition. J & J Antiques; multiple dealers with reasonable prices on rustic antique and vintage items. Most of the stores in this area contain an eclectic mix of quality pieces with dealers who are motivated to sell. Locals report that foot-traffic has also been impacted by online buyers and reticent post-pandemic travelers, leaving plenty of opportunity for walk-in's and those who like to negotiate. As an added bonus, if you happen to get thirsty while there - you're in luck - as the town is also famously known for its craft beers.

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Plenty Of Traditional Antiques

Millerton, New York
Millerton, nestled in upstate New York just two hours north of Manhattan, exudes a distinct charm. Its independent businesses and local commerce create a warm and welcoming environment for antiquing. Here are the highlights: Millerton Antiques Center; with over thirty-five dealers, this center offers specialty stalls featuring fine European art, pottery, and Oriental rugs. Sarah Pugh, who attends regularly on behalf of her Manhattan gallery, says that prices can be higher than some places, but most dealers are willing to deal to dealers. "It's load-and-leave shopping," she says, "the selection is just so good, I can literally come home with two months worth of inventory from just a single afternoon's buy." Other notables include: Main Street Finds - don’t miss Hunter Bee and Montage - both mainstays in Millerton’s well-established antique scene. Local Flavor; while antiquing, recharge at the Irving Farm Coffee House, known for its fair-trade coffee and freshly baked pastries. 

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Quality Dealers & Shops

Wiscasset, Maine
Wiscasset, with its historic grandeur overlooking the Sheepscot River, is a picture-perfect Maine village and one of Sam Waterman's favorite destinations when it comes to picking up some top-tier goodies. Waterman's upscale antique business in Boston has been sourcing inventory from the Wiscasset area for generations. "My father used to take me there when I was just a kid," he says, "with some of the dealers becoming like family." Waterman acknowledges that you really have to know what it is you're buying to make a profit, but says it's worth it if you happen to have potential clients waiting in the wings. Not to be missed: Water Street Antiques; a well-cataloged collection of fine Americana, weaponry, books, and folk art. Michael Dunn Antiques; known for a world-class collection, some of their pieces have even graced museums like the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Victoria & Albert Museum. Also of note; the Wiscasset Antiques Mall and the Wizard Of Odds in the Old Head Tide & Feed Store. Prices are going to be 'up there' at some locations, but then again, so is the quality. Just make sure to leave enough room for some resale margin if you do decide to buy.

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Cross Border Discounts

Canada's Maritimes
Heading north, the Canadian Maritimes, particularly Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, offer a unique blend of European and maritime influences. Coastal towns with a rich seafaring history often have antique shops filled with nautical artifacts and vintage items at extremely attractive prices - especially for international buyers. Mary Stouts, a longtime dealer who hails from just outside of Sackville, New Brunswick, says that she's been serving as a de facto trade-stop for American dealers coming up to buy for over forty years now. "With a favorable exchange rate over twenty-five percent and dealer discounts, it's a buyers dream for most U.S. customers," she says, "after all, where can you find some of the earliest antiques on the continent at these kind of prices."  What to see: Antiques Plus in Belledune is a great place to start, but roadside outbuildings with no visible business signs abound in virtually every town, and are a pickers delight. Just ask around and the friendly locals will point you in the right direction. 

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Smaller Shows Drawing 'Pickers'

Walnut, Iowa
Tom Bradford, a coast-to-coast picker, who's been on the road for over thirty-five years, says that he's seen the highs and lows of the antique industry, and that while right now it's rolling again, you really have to know where to buy to make some big profits. "I don't go to the Brimfield or Round Top shows," he says, "they're too congested and the prices are just too high." Instead, Bradford says he concentrates on shows like Walnut, a city in Pottawattamie County, Iowa. Smaller, and off the grid to some degree, Walnut is known as Iowa's Antique City, with over a dozen antique shops lining its historic Main Street. You can browse through a variety of goods, from furniture and pottery to toys and books. Start with: Granary Mall; lots of signage, old Coke machines and everything else in between. The annual Walnut Antique Show occurs in the middle of June, and is favorite of pickers from far and wide. 

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Plenty Of Advertising Signs

Hazel, Kentucky
Another contender that often flies under the mainstream radar, this small town near the Tennessee border has a population of less than five-hundred, but a reputation for being an antique lover’s paradise. You can find over a dozen antique shops along Main Street, offering a wide range of items, from advertising signs to quilts, to glassware and pottery. Store highlights include: Mantiques; with a vast collection of oil and auto signage and railroad memorabilia, there's an eclectic mix of just about everything to be found. Blue Moon Antiques; offers larger case pieces that have been well sourced by the proprietors. Many dealers report store owners to be receptive to discounts and bargaining for those working in the business.

There are of course many factors to consider when contemplating the merits of hitting the road in search of antique and vintage items as opposed to the convenience of online shopping and local Internet pick-ups. However, when weighed against the hands-on experience, face-to-face interaction, and availability of quality sourced goods from respected vendors, it would appear that some dealers today are indeed opting to return to in-store purchases as a way of not only exploring the rich tapestry and decorative history of North America first-hand, but also as means of potentially acquiring some unique and one-of-a-kind treasures at some very reasonable prices. 

- A.I.A. Staff Writers

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NOTE: For readers seeking more information about the Asheford Institute Of Antiques distance-learning program on professional-level appraising, the study of antiques, collectibles, vintage and mid-century modern items, please click here to visit the school's Home Page. 

Should you have additional questions about the Asheford program, you can also write to the school at: [email protected] or call the Registrar's Office toll-free at: 1-877-444-4508.

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