Besides sewing and fabric, my other loves include thrifting and treasure hunting at garage, rummage and estate sales, as well as antique stores.
While there are many great antique shops in Portland proper, if you are willing to travel out to the suburbs and surrounding small towns, you will not be disappointed. Here’s a few I like to torture my husband and son with:
AURORA
Everyone knows that Aurora is an antiquer’s dream. There are all the little shops and the awesome architectural salvage place. But when my time is limited and the patience of my family is short, here’s my go to:
Timeless Antiques & Collectibles
14988 2nd Street N.E.
If you like mid-century design, especially lamps and pottery, this is the place for you. Packed into this small shop is also a lot of depression glass and furniture. Look for the very friendly shop dog who is known to wear costumes.
BEAVERTON
Curiosities: A Vintage Mall12705 SW Beaverdam Rd.
This 60+ multi-dealer shop is well-curated and a great place to browse. The vendors really do a great job of showcasing and merchandising their wares. Curiosities has a vast selection of vintage, retro, and mid-century home décor, furniture, clothing, and jewelry. A great one-stop antiquing extravaganza!
Bonus: On the first Sunday of the month from May-September the Beaverton Flea takes place in the parking lots of Curiosities and Union Vintage.
Garage Sale Warehouse
4810 SW Western Ave.
This place is the opposite of Curiosities — it’s like stepping into a flea market in an airplane hangar. But that isn’t necessarily a negative. In fact, my treasure hunting radar gets amped up here! Yes, many of the booths are a bit junky but there are a few I like to check out regularly. Also, with a place this size, you never know what you might find.
Check out their smaller Walker Road location too.
12675 SW 1st St.
Rose City Modern specializes in quality MCM furniture and housewares. Great plants too!
If you’re in downtown Beaverton and like vintage clothing, stop by The Vault Vintage Clothing Boutique.
Union Vintage12725 SW Canyon Rd.
Union Vintage is located right across from Curiosities in the old Ludemann’s building. Super well-curated and nicely displayed space. Great for mid-century stuff, old office supplies, kitchen wares and more. I really like to check out the small selection of clothing located in the back of the store.
FLORENCE
If you’re traveling on the Oregon Coast, you should definitely stop in Florence! It is one of my favorite coastal towns. Along Hwy 101 is the Florence Antique District, comprising about 5 separate antique shops. Also, stop in the Oregon Coast Humane Society Thrift Shop located at the corner of Kingwood St. and Bay St. in Old Town.
HILLSBORO
Snider’s Hill Theatre Antique Mall
127 NE 3rd Ave.
Yes, it really is an old theater with the screen and stage still at the back.
Le Stuff Antique Mall234 E. Main St.
Found my old metal pattern cabinet similar to the one pictured here!
HOOD RIVER
2958 Dee Hwy.
About 7 miles outside of Hood River, this shop has not only an antique store but also a fruit stand and soda fountain. This is a good one because it makes the family happy and distracted with ice cream while I hunt for treasures. We especially recommend their soft serve that is made to order using Tillamook ice cream and local fruit.
LAFAYETTE
Lafayette Schoolhouse Antique Mall
Hwy 99W
This place is huge with over 100 dealers covering all kinds of collectibles. Eight classrooms are filled with art glass, china, memorabilia, toys, books, plus a basement filled with American antique furniture.
MCMINNVILLE
McMinnville Antiques Mall334 NE 3rd St.
This vendor mall features over 50 vendors, located in historic downtown of McMinnville, Oregon. There’s an eclectic collection of items from vintage, antiques, and collectibles to re-purposed and handmade items! While you’re there, have lunch at my favorite spot Community Plate!
MILWAUKIE
Main Street Collectors Mall & Soda Fountain
10909 SE Main St, Milwaukie, OR 97222
Love this place! Yes, it has a soda fountain to keep the boys occupied! Have had really good luck finding additions to my ugly green pottery collection.
Also, check out Red Snapper. Filled with quality, authentic, restored Danish+American mid-century modern furniture, art, and some housewares.
I am already thinking of places I’ve left off this list! What are your favorites?
We’re two days into 2016 and I still have hope that it will be a creative year for Chinchilla Whiskers. Gosh, it’s easy for me to get disheartened. I’ve been sick. When I am down, everything goes into disarray, at least from my point of view. As I’ve been keeping up with Facebook, texts and emails these past few days, it seems a lot of friends are going through health issues and assorted yuckiness too.
Chinchilla Whiskers 