As the nights come earlier in this northern city, it’s the season to see what treasures we can find to make our living rooms cosy. Maybe there’s a special vintage winter coat reminiscent of your Grandma, or an oil lamp for that warm glow of nostalgia. Garage and estate sales are happening now before the weather gets too cold. And when friends come over there will be stories to tell about the past-life of that special piece we found, and new stories of where and how we found it.
Wandering these vintage and antique shops is a fun way to spend a chilly Saturday afternoon — and you might find your next treasured heirloom to pass on. So we asked some experts: What would you tell a person who’s going out treasure hunting?
Having started as a pop-up market, this will soon be a permanent store in the Strathcona area. There is nostalgia for everyone in the range from 1960s to Y2K items, with some collectibles and antiques. Items are sourced at estate and garage sales by a number of passionate Edmonton vendors, and include household decor and kitchenware, clothing, and furniture items.
“Come early for the best finds so you get first dibs. Make sure you’re wearing clothes you can change in and out of easily to try clothes on, if you’re shopping for clothes. Wear comfortable shoes — you’ll probably be on your feet for a while. Bring a reusable bag.” – Julianne Cragg of Capital City Vintage Market
16819 111 Ave (The Creative Hive), Edmonton | capitalcityvintage.com | Pop up: November 15 and 16, 11 a.m. – 7 p.m.
“Find your treasures” across two floors and over 5,000 square feet of antiques and collectibles in this well-curated collection of interesting items. They offer a wide range of items and prices, with layaway for the special high-ticket items.
“The happiest treasure hunters like certain things because they like that kind of thing. Its not about the long term value — maybe it’s something usable, from a memory, your hobby or interest. Pay attention to what makes you feel comfortable and what you will enjoy. We are firm believers in the beauty, value and usefulness of recycling and reusing quality items from the past.” – Debora Belmonte of Ibon Antiques
10423 79 Ave, Edmonton | ibonantiques.ca
There are five locations throughout the Edmonton area including St. Albert and Leduc. Clinton Beck has a blog on his adventuring and treasure hunting, showcasing some of his greatest finds. His biggest prize is a Canadian 1932 50-cent piece sold in auction for $23,500 that he found in a tin full of “a century’s worth of detritus” at a garage sale.
Beck Antiques has locations in West Edmonton Mall, Westmount, St Albert Centre Mall, Sherwood Park Mall and Leduc | beckantiques.com
Owner Angela Larson calls herself a “treasure hunter, storyteller and stylist,” and she has carefully created a stunning collection of things for every fashionista. In addition to clothing, the store also carries home decor, accessories and furniture with stories behind every item.
10826 124 St, Edmonton | swish-vintage.com
It’s worth the drive to Millet to see what might have been in storage at a long-standing country estate in the area. The store has been in business over 50 years and also holds auctions regularly. Prized pieces of the owner’s private collection have been displayed at the Millet Museum down the road. The shop has a large selection of furniture and carefully selected antique items.
5001 51 St, Millet, Alberta
