The joy of antiquing never seems to wane in Seaside, even in winter months. According to Jodie Mathison, owner of the iconic Seaside Antique Mall, as long as the roads are open, people flock from Portland and elsewhere on the Coast to hunt for unique treasures during the quieter seasons.
What are some of the most-wanted items? Mathison has the scoop, saying people seek out Pyrex kitchen bowls and cookware, hanging stained glass, antique metal wall art and comic books that are in good condition — as well as antique glass floats, the quintessential beach find.
No matter which items pique your interest, it’s possible to spend a rainy day poking around Seaside’s antique and vintage shops to find something you simply can’t live without. Here’s how to get started and find the best thing ever.
Find the Right Shop for You
Understanding the differences among an antique store, a thrift store and a consignment store is the first step to a successful hunt.
Antique stores specialize in older, often valuable items that are prized for their historical significance, collectability or unique qualities. Thrift stores typically sell donated items for a charitable cause, including clothing, household goods and furniture. You can find rock-bottom bargains, but they tend to have a lot of items to sort through. A vintage or consignment store is usually set up to take the digging out of thrifting. Most of these are highly curated, and the owners take great pride in their specialized collections.
Antique malls may be considered the best of all worlds. They usually are separated into booths or stalls rented by various independent vendors, and they can vary in quality, price and specialty. It can be extremely pleasant to wander from one vendor’s imaginative world to the next as you navigate these often massive spaces.
Pacific Heirloom
Seaside’s Antiquing Hot Spots
If you plan on antiquing, your first stop should be the sprawling Seaside Antique Mall, located in 10,000 square feet of space at 726 Broadway Street. With 95 vendors selling everything from colorful uranium glass and midcentury-modern furniture to vintage jewelry and collectible Hot Wheels cars, you’ll definitely want to spend a good chunk of time here.
Right next door at 734 Broadway Street, Bliss Mercantile & Brocante offers a small but beautifully curated collection of antiques, as well as French and coastal-inspired home goods with an antique-like aesthetic.
South Seaside’s Cottage and Castle Antiques at 501 South Holladay Street is a surprisingly large and off-the-beaten-path gem filled with meticulously collected glassware, antique furniture and art. The friendly owners are incredibly knowledgeable and will help you pick the perfect piece to top off a collection or take home as a souvenir. The store has been in business for 32 years and is a no-miss for both serious and casual antiquing.
If you’re interested in nautical and rare beach-themed finds, Pacific Heirloom at 608 Broadway Street is the place to go. Be sure to look closely at the lovely vintage glass floats and model ships, all offered at affordable prices.
Bliss Mercantile & Brocante
Must-Visit Thrifting and Vintage Stores
If you’re in the mood to thrift and sift, Linda’s Rag & Bone at 1011 7th Avenue on the north side of town is an eclectic thrift and consignment shop with a little bit of everything. Peruse collections of vintage clothing and dishes, used books, old-school holiday cards, and military-surplus supplies, and you’re sure to leave with a bag full of new old treasures.
The neat and clean Crystal’s Deals, located at 300 South Roosevelt Drive, carries both new and thrift items at irresistible prices. The vintage kitchenware and sewing patterns are fun to look through, as are the vintage jewelry and shoes, as well as furnishings. New, handmade items like earrings in the shape of books occasionally appear on the shelves as well.
If you love animals as much as you do scoring thrift-store finds, the volunteer-run Spay and Neuter Thrift Shop, located at 600 Broadway Street next to the Necanicum River, is a pup-friendly spot to pick up some secondhand art, glassware and other donated goods — and support a good cause. The proceeds from your purchase will help local residents reduce the cost of spaying and neutering their pets.
