Antique Shopping in Thurston County: First-Class Shops Hold Many Treasures

By Gale Hemmann

There’s something amazing about holding a small piece of history in your hands. Holding an antique toy or trinket, I can almost feel the years and stories behind it. I once heard a French term for antiques which translates as “objects that talk.”

I fell in love with antiques shopping this past holiday season. Browsing antiques stores in downtown Olympia, I found myself charmed by the 1950’s-era Christmas ornaments and décor, which reminded me of items my grandmother used to have in her home. I found a few perfect pieces (including a handmade basket, celluloid reindeer, and vintage gift tags) at surprisingly reasonable prices. Pleased with my new treasures, a new hobby was born.

There are many great antiques stores in Thurston County. This article features shops I have personally visited and recommend. I chose these shops for their quality inventory, friendly staff, organized layout, and overall atmosphere. Most of these spots feature multiple dealers under one roof – since each antiques dealer has a distinct style and specialty, this gives you many options to find something that calls to you.

By shopping at these antique stores, you are also supporting local businesses. Selling antiques is definitely a labor of love, and the dealers appreciate your business. Shopping vintage and finding new life in old items is also eco-friendly. And antique shopping can be a budget-friendly way to decorate or find a gift – many stores offer charming items in a range of prices.

Olympia

• Finders Keepers Antique Mall: This spot is always a good bet. Well organized and filled with over 50 vendors, the Finders Keepers Antique Mall in downtown Olympia offers fun vintage and antique items spanning the twentieth century. I found some awesome vintage linens and decorative baskets at very reasonable prices. From mid-century cookware to Beatles memorabilia, there’s plenty to look at. Dealers re-stock the booths often to keep things interesting.

• A Rusty Rooster: A Rusty Rooster is another downtown Olympia institution. This small shop houses lots of fun mid-century to contemporary items at reasonable prices. Specialties include vintage cookware, toys, clothing, home décor, and of course, lots of little knickknacks. A Rusty Rooster also does custom iron work. The store is easy to browse and the staff is laid-back. As a kid, I always loved operating the rotating display case at the front of the store when I visited.

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  Courtyard Antiques Mall: While you’re in downtown Olympia, stop by the Courtyard Antique Mall. This elegant two-story spot features the inventory of over 70 antiques and home décor dealers. They also offer specialty home décor products such as Chalk Paint. They are home to Courtyard Studio 721, offering classes in home décor techniques.

Lacey Area

• The Antique Peddlers’ Mall: This bright, well-organized shop, tucked away off of Pacific Avenue, is filled with rows of treasures. Dozens of booths offer everything from seasonal décor to figurines. One thing I especially appreciated about this store is that many vendors mark the decade and country of origin of the items when possible.

Tumwater

• Lighthouse Antiques and Crafts: The Lighthouse Antiques and Crafters Mall brings together over 100 dealers under one roof. This inviting spot also offers free coffee and cookies to shoppers. Driving by this spot (you’ve probably seen the lighthouse out front), you wouldn’t know just how many antiques it contains. This spot features collectibles, housewares and kitchenware, and specialties such as doll clothing. You’ll also find locally-made soaps, crafts, and chocolates.

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  Brown Derby Antiques: Brown Derby Antiques has two locations, a small boutique in downtown Olympia and a larger store in Tumwater. I visited both stores and especially enjoyed browsing the large Tumwater shop, with its many nooks and crannies – it’s like a maze filled with treasures. The staff is very friendly and knowledgeable about their inventory. You’ll find lots of housewares, toys, and collectibles of many types. The store is arranged in charming vignettes by color and theme.

Antiques Events

• Olympia Flea Market: For a funky spot that truly features a little bit of everything, check out the weekly Olympia Flea Market, open Saturdays and Sundays from 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. With over 20 vendors and a friendly, relaxed vibe, you’ll find yourself lost in time as you browse antique toys, furniture, collectibles and more at this indoor market. There are also some contemporary booths mixed in, such as jewelry and imported items. Prices are very reasonable. This stop would make a fun family outing. Read more about the Olympia Flea Market (formerly known as the Olympia Weekend Market) on ThurstonTalk here.

• Thurston County Flea Market: This free event is held six times a year at the Thurston County Fairgrounds. At the Thurston County Flea Market, you’ll find “antiques, collectibles, assorted oddities and treasures” while browsing over 25 vendors. I know many avid antiques hunters who look forward to this bi-monthly event. The next upcoming date is February 20 – 21, 2015.

More Options

In addition to these stores, you can also find shops that offer specialty antique and vintage items, such as bookstores (try Browsers’ Bookshop), clothing shops (such as Psychic Sister), and more. And Summit Lake Antiques specializes in antique furniture.

Some thrift shops also carry collectibles and other vintage items. The Seattle Children’s Bargain Boutique and the Estate Store (which benefits Senior Services for South Sound) both help good causes and often have a few antiques mixed in among their wares.

Again, this is just a sampling of what’s out there. Once you start looking for antiques, you’ll notice shops and events everywhere. I invite you to stop by one of these shops, and experience the thrill of finding the perfect treasure from the past.