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If thrifting is a wild goose chase, vintage and antique shopping is fishing in a stocked pond.
That’s because thrift stores are generally nonprofits that accept any and all donations, no matter the condition, with sales going to their cause. In contrast, vintage and antique shops offer a curated experience where the shop owner has done the sifting to choose pieces that are of good quality and fit their shop’s aesthetic.
Buying pre-loved—aka secondhand—furniture, clothing and household goods is better for the environment because it keeps them out of landfills and gives recycled goods another life. Looking for another reason to check out these five vintage and antique stores? You’ll be supporting the local economy…and, chances are, having fun doing it.
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“We’re family owned and operated, and our staff is a part of that family. They’ve been with us since day one and they’re knowledgeable specialists, here to help our customers realize their vision.” —Joanne Stephans | Photo by Corey Miller.
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Photo by Corey Miller.
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Photo by Corey Miller.
THE VELVET SHOESTRING, WILLIAMSBURG
The Velvet Shoestring’s name says it all. Doing something “on a shoestring” means doing it with little money, so customers looking for gently used high-end merchandise that fits their pocketbook could be said to be decorating on a “velvet shoestring,” that is, luxuriously but on a budget.
The 10,000-square-foot high-end consignment shop boasts an impressive selection that includes, but isn’t limited to, antiques. “We offer traditional, transitional and modern pieces that people fall in love with and can mix in with what they already have,” says co-owner and general manager Joanne Stephans. “Beauty and craftsmanship are appreciated here because we want to keep quality pieces like Henkel Harris in circulation.”
The Velvet Shoestring is a family affair, started by Stephans’ mother-in-law, Betty Stephans, in 2005 in a 1,200-square-foot building. In 2012, the business took over larger digs on Second Street, more than doubling the showroom space and attracting an even broader customer base. “We have a reputation of curating beautiful items for a fraction of retail cost,” Stephans says. “Consigners seek us out to sell items—sometimes the entire contents of their house if they’re downsizing or moving—and customers come looking for high-quality pieces for a good price. It’s that sweet spot.”
Winding through the sumptuously staged rooms, visitors may come upon a Wassily- style chair or a Craftsman-style chair. An array of chandeliers hangs overhead, and art of every genre and size covers the walls. It’s an eclectic, well-priced mixture from a black lacquer Chinese entry chest with a pagoda painted on the door to hot pink plate chargers to an antique fire shield.
Facebook and Instagram help spread the word about new acquisitions. “We also have decorators and stagers on staff to help customers realize their vision,” she says. “Not every customer has that ability, so we help them pull things together to accompany what they already have.”
After 19 years in business, The Velvet Shoestring has an abundance of regular customers, daily, weekly and monthly. “We’re the ‘Cheers’ of Williamsburg, so we notice when a regular hasn’t been in for a while and ask about them,” Stephans says. “Word of mouth is golden, so we really appreciate it when we get referrals from realtors, neighbors, and women’s groups.”
Coming this summer, there will be a second location of the same concept, but with a smaller showroom and some much-needed storage space. It was necessary because even though most items sell within four weeks, they continually have new people wanting to consign. “Because this is Williamsburg, many people who move here were in the military or were corporate executives,” she says. “They bring in incredible things from all over the world, stuff you’re not going to find in big box stores. We want to be able to put that out for our customers.”
Merchandise aside, Stephans is particularly proud of The Velvet Shoestring’s throwback vibe. “This is like an old-time community where we’re constantly meeting people from all over and becoming friends,” she says. “We’re family-owned and operated, and our staff has been with us since day one. We make this a warm place to come because consignment shopping should be a fun experience.”
The Velvet Shoestring | 311 Second Street, Williamsburg I 757-220-9494 I thevelvetshoestringwmsbg.com
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"I tell customers to buy what makes them happy because if it delights you, it's worth having." —Theresa Wells Stifel | Photo by Corey Miller.
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An artistic eye is evident in York & Main’s merchandising, a reflection of Theresa Wells Stifel’s lifelong passion for artmaking. Photo by Corey Miller.
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Her sense of fun comes through in objects such as commemorative plates. Aloha, anyone? Photo by Corey Miller.
YORK & MAIN, GLOUCESTER
York & Main in Gloucester is the culmination of Theresa Wells Stifel’s two decades in the vintage business.
While living in Falls Church, Stifel had a 3,000-square-foot vintage and consignment shop that kept her so busy she had little time for her first love, artmaking. Six years ago, she moved to Gloucester Point, and because of the COVID lockdown, her inventory was tightly packed into 44 bins and housed in her garage. “I’m an artist, and I could finally sling paint with abandon,” she says of that period. “But as a woman of a certain age, I also felt like it was time to go for it.”
When she opened York & Main in July 2023, she intended to have her artistic and business lives peacefully coexist for the first time in decades. “I have no staff, so it’s only me,” she says. “The store’s schedule changes week to week, with the current hours posted online. And you can make an appointment anytime.”
That flexibility allows her time to create her art and curate her store’s inventory, two of her favorite activities. “With a vintage shop, I’m looking for things that were previously loved that I can then offer to my customers,” she says. “I’m a textile fiend, so I choose things like apparel and household goods like linens and pillows. It’s a way to find style for yourself and your home, things to add spice to your life.”
The shop is a multi-room treasure trove of unique and unexpected finds. A tower of baking trays is a clever and efficient way to display pins, clip and pierced earrings, compacts, and necklaces. A Baby Boomer can’t help but feel nostalgic seeing a ‘60s California pottery Lazy Susan in burnt orange.
A slender hallway holds shelves on both sides displaying vintage barware, glassware, turkey platters and one of Stifel’s weaknesses, commemorative plates of everything from Eisenhower and FDR to Jamaica and Atlantic City. “A former State Department employee bought a bunch of these for a dinner party as conversation starters,” she says. “They’re cheesy but a lot of fun.”
A room devoted to clothing is a trip down Memory Lane. There’s a quilted coral-colored dressing gown from the ‘60s next to a ‘50s peignoir set, while a fur-collared coat hangs next to a Hawaiian muumuu. Perusing a wall of retro aprons yields an ankle-length white one from the early 20th century, a ‘50s gingham number and another so decidedly ‘60s that it could have been worn by the mother on “Leave It to Beaver.”
What Stifel affectionately calls “the dress-up room” boasts walls covered in hats—some complete with intact veils—scarves, handkerchiefs, and purses. A selection of vintage nurses’ uniforms displays the evolution of the utilitarian garment from the ‘40s through the ‘80s.
Because the store is new, customers don’t yet know what she carries, so they come in looking, and she takes curatorial cues from what they want. “My first question is always if they’re on a quest for something specific,” she says. “Most people don’t know until they see it that they need it.”
It’s the desire to be unique that brings in new and returning customers. “Vintage goods are exponentially better buys than current ‘fast fashion’ today,” Stifel says. “These are beautiful things that will stand the test of time because they’ve already lived for years. I tell customers to buy what makes them happy because if it delights you, it’s worth having.”
York & Main I 6670 Main Street, Gloucester I 703-407-0770 I shopyorkandmain.com
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"I've always been passionate about antiques, all things vintage and pieces with a past." —Pam Howland | Photo by Corey Miller.
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The calming vibe at the Gilded Crown invites passersby to drop in and find inspiration in everything from a European gold mirrored cabinet to old love letters and cards written in exquisite handwriting. Photo by Corey Miller.
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Howland has seen how some younger people have begun to value older objects, opting to choose vintage chinaware over registering for new. Photos by Corey Miller.
THE GILDED CROWN, URBANNA
Since she was a little girl, Pam Howland dreamed of having her own shop.
For over three decades, she worked in the shopping center industry in Richmond, which provided an outlet for her creativity. When standards became more cookie-cutter, she began renting two booths at an antique mall. Four years later, she left the corporate world to devote herself to her business full-time. “It got to where I couldn’t be as creative, and I’ve always been passionate about antiques, all things vintage and pieces with a past,” she says. “The quality is often better than some new furniture.”
Having spent summers camping in Urbanna, she knew the area and some of its residents. When the marina’s co-owner notified her that the adjacent building was becoming available, she didn’t hesitate. “When she asked if I wanted to open a shop, I said yes!” Howland says and opened the Gilded Crown in May 2023. “There was a need for things like this here.”
Scouting for merchandise, she visits the back roads of West Virginia, North Carolina and Pennsylvania, seeking inspiration. Her husband, Norm, helps with the stripping, painting, and repair of furniture and with deliveries to the store. “We paint everything ourselves because I learned over the years that painting sells far better for me,” she says. “I have to do what I love.”
With an emphasis on furniture, china, and inspirational goods, the Gilded Crown has a romantic, peaceful feel, which Howland cultivates to encourage visitors. “I tell people to come in to get away and just enjoy being here, that you don’t have to buy something every time you stop by,” she says.
“Sometimes you go into a vintage shop, and it’s overwhelming. I look for things that work together, starting with the front windows and moving through the shop.”
That cohesiveness is evident in the delicately patterned chinaware in various shades of white, pink, and green that adorn shelves and tabletops. Whether it’s teacups and saucers, tiny butter plates or platters, the pieces’ vintage beauty shines. From a white bird cage chandelier to a dainty vanity with a scene painted on top and an adjustable mirror, it’s all of a piece. “I tell people life is too short not to use your fancy every day,” Howland says.
One corner is devoted to babies, with vintage smocked dresses, antique christening gowns and art depicting rosy-cheeked sleeping babies. A vintage toddler’s jacket with a crocheted cotton collar is beautiful enough to hang on the wall as art. “I love these classic smocked garments, and they’re hard to find,” Howland says. “Grandmothers come in and buy them for their grandchildren- to-be, saying they used to dress their babies in them.”
Because the shop is in Urbanna, Howland mixes coastal elements with her vintage and antique goods. Wind chimes and wreaths made from oyster shells are always in stock, as are Gilded Crown soy blend candles with inspirational quotes. Her mother, Sara, crafts items for the shop, such as bracelets with names or quotes and seasonal fabric-covered pumpkins. “She works on handcrafted items while guests shop, making it very different from big box stores,” she says. “It’s a way for people to come and feel connected to what we carry.”
When the building became available, Howland saw it as a chance to have her own voice, follow her passion and be creative, all while connecting with the community. “It’s hard work and long hours, but so rewarding,” she says. “So many customers have become friends.”
The Gilded Crown I 21 Cross Street, Urbanna I 804-814-6536 I Find The Guilded Crown on Facebook and Instagram.
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Spencer is the official greeter at Kilmarnock Antique Gallery and the namesake of the weekly specials email his owners Lynn and Steve Bonner send out every Tuesday. Photo by Corey Miller.
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“We want to be full service, so we try to carry a little bit of everything, from tools to Wedgewood, as well as furniture, some less expensive for second homes, paint and refinishing supplies, and local food products.” —Steve Bonner | Photos by Corey Miller.
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You’ll need time and energy to explore all 22,000 square feet of Kilmarnock Antique Gallery’s floor, wall and nook space, but it’s worth it. Photos by Corey Miller.
KILMARNOCK ANTIQUE GALLERY, KILMARNOCK
At Kilmarnock Antique Gallery, you can support over 100 small businesses by walking through one door.
That one door originally opened to his father’s wholesale business, which began in 1946. Steve Bonner became the president and CEO in 1975, and the building went from 5,000 to 22,000 square feet. In 1995, he sold the inventory to a Philadelphia firm, which, after four months, moved the business there, leaving Bonner with a huge building to rent.
The only problem was no one was interested in leasing it. “I’ve always had a positive attitude, so I told my wife Lynn we just needed to go into business,” Bonner says. “I knew zero about antiques, but we opened on July 1, 1997, with five dealers occupying only the front room.”
As more dealers wanted to come on board, Bonner had walls added and carpet laid down until the massive building was completely full within a year. Out of necessity, he began to rent wall space and nooks. “Now there’s a waiting list for spaces, and when a space does become available, it often goes to an existing dealer who wants more space,” he says. “Virginia Living Magazine consistently awards us ‘Best Antique Venue’ in Eastern Virginia every year.”
Bonner, Lynn and their staff pride themselves on customer service. They greet everyone who walks in the door and offer to answer any questions, but they leave people to enjoy browsing uninterrupted.
Many customers come in because of an item that was included in the weekly Spencer’s Specials email, which goes out every Tuesday and focuses on new and unique items. Spencer is the Bonners’ dog and official greeter. “We had people come from Philadelphia to look at our oyster plates, which is something we’re known for,” Bonner says. “But people come regularly from Williamsburg, Richmond, Charlottesville, and Maryland. We love bringing people to the area and recommending places to eat and shop.”
The oyster plates have a place of honor in the cases just inside the front door. It was President Rutherford B. Hayes who made the plates popular when he ordered a $3,000 set for the White House. They became sought after for steamships, and big city stores began carrying them, increasing their appeal as collectibles. “All our oyster plates are over 100 years old,” Bonner says. “And in pristine condition, no chips or cracks. We research the maker and the history of each one.”
Because of the immenseness of Kilmarnock Antique Gallery, it’s easy to get lost, so the staff recommends beginning on the left side and following the aisles, which bring you back to the front. That way, a visitor is less likely to miss anything because, with over 100 dealers, the variety of goods is dazzling: a late 18th-century grandfather clock, a cigar store Indian, a Brownie Hawkeye camera and a Chinese folding screen. Even a sports lover will find treasures such as a 1970 O.J. Simpson rookie baseball card or a Pittsburg Pirates pennant. Music fans will have a ball browsing bins showcasing everyone from Duke Ellington to Chet Atkins to Wilson Pickett.
There are only four days a year when Kilmarnock Antique Gallery isn’t open: New Year’s Day, Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas. Otherwise, antique lovers can browse from 10 am to 5 pm seven days a week. “Once we let people know where we were, it’s been word of mouth that’s brought new visitors in,” Bonner says. “At one time, Kilmarnock was known as the New York City of the Northern Neck because it was the business hub. And look at us now. We’re busy all year long.”
Kilmarnock Antique Gallery I 144 School Street, Kilmarnock I 804-435-1207 I virginia-antiques.com
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“We were told you can’t sell furniture in the Northern Neck, but we sell tables, desks, chairs, mid-century modern and Danish furniture. You just need patience to wait for the right person to come in.” —Rebecca Orcutt | Photo by Corey Miller.
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From the front porch to the upstairs, Humble Store reflects owner Rebecca Orcutt’s aesthetic, which marries eye-catching presentation and easy walkability for the best shopping experience possible. Photo by Corey Miller.
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Photo by Corey Miller.
HUMBLE STORE, KINSALE
Rebecca Orcutt felt a sense of destiny when she inherited the building that would become Humble Store in Kinsale.
Her father, John Robert Settle, who’d been born and raised in Westmoreland County, had always collected antiques. When he retired, he purchased what was known as the English Store from Frances English. Originally built in 1890, the building had a long life as a general store, carrying everything from canned goods to Converse sneakers. “When my father passed in 2016, and the building came to me, I felt compelled to bring the store back to life,” Orcutt says, noting that both she and her husband are realtors. “I have a strong retail background, and my husband Jonathan managed the restoration. It was a perfect storm of our expertise, sales backgrounds, love of history and antiques.”
Although restoration on the building began in 2019, COVID delayed progress, so Humble Store didn’t open until October 2022. Because the store’s fixtures had long ago disappeared, Orcutt had the oak counter replicated from an old photograph. When the floors were sanded, the shadows of previous counters showed through, uncovering hints of the store’s history. “We wanted to keep things as authentic as possible, modernizing only when necessary,” she says. “The two front windows were in terrible disrepair, so we had them exactly duplicated. Now they fill the store with light.”
During those three years, the building’s renovation became a source of conversation for locals curious about what was happening at the old English Store. “This is a plain and simple building, not fancy, and the Northern Neck has a humble way of life,” Orcutt says. “I thought Humble Store described the area and has many connotations: friendly, down to earth, and a great way to live.”
The two-story building is filled with antiques, American-made goods, and vintage items chosen because Orcutt liked them or because they’re part of current trends. “I curate pieces locally from the Northern Neck and eastern Virginia, keeping to southern collectibles,” she says. “We’re a mom-and-pop store, so we want to offer things that have lived here before.”
Specialty goods such as Country Chic paint and Virginia-grown Good Earth Peanuts are mixed in with antiques the Orcutts have collected from regular scouting trips. Advertising tins for George Washington Cut Plug Tobacco and Ye Olde McCormick Tea House Inn rest near an apothecary cabinet, an old mail sorting table from a Northumberland County Post Office and a modern Danish sideboard. “I do research when we find a piece and put a tag on it providing information—year, the material, any history—the customer might want,” Orcutt says. “We only sell quality items in good condition, things you can take home and use today.”
The shopping experience at Humble Store begins on the front porch and continues inside. Wandering from front to back and upstairs, visitors encounter everything from traditional to primitive to mid-century modern furniture, along with old department store hat boxes, wooden trunks, pottery, and art. Whether you’re looking for a pink pie safe or a totem pole, it’s here.
On weekends, customers are treated to baked goods from Richmond’s Sugar & Twine, a gesture of hospitality from the Orcutts to the community. “Of all the places to have an antique shop, it’s fortunate this is what Dad purchased,” Orcutt says. “Neighbors are truly neighbors, and the community has given us so much back. We feel grateful to be here where folks are so genuine and nice.”
Humble Store I 148 Griffiths Corner Road, Kinsale I 804-472-7173 I humblestoreva.com