The Biggest and Best First
My first stop when I am searching for collectibles is the Shop N Kart Swap Meet at 2100 N. National Avenue in Chehalis. There are over 50 booths with a wide variety of antiques. They range from porcelain teacups to lawnmowers and tools. The whole family will have a great time here. They are open Wednesday through Sunday from 8 am to 5 pm.
Variety You Can Park and Walk To
If you haven’t found the treasure you’ve been searching for, less than a mile North of the swap meet you can continue the hunt. You’ll see a small store with jewelry in the window. The name is simply Antique Jewelry. It’s all so beautiful. You’ll probably want to treat yourself. There’s glassware and other miscellaneous things but the jewelry is the reason so many people stop here. Their address is 111 South Tower Avenue in Centralia. They’re open 10 am to 5 pm Monday through Saturday for you to stop and admire their jewels.
Just Like Home
On the next block you can’t help but notice the window display at Abundance Village. They’re at 109 North Tower Avenue. It’s the cutest antique shop you’ll see. Each section in the store is decorated with vintage furnishings from around the world. She has them arranged as though they are bedrooms. Old quilts, dressers, and trunks are on display. They are open 11 am to 5 pm all week so go on a lazy afternoon and enjoy looking at all of the rare pieces she has on display.
A Perfect Ending
The final stop has to be Northwest Tub Co. This is not a typical antique store. They have old doors with hand-carved decorations, old ovens that are so different from the modern version and vintage sinks that were sturdy and deep. The biggest attraction is their claw foot bathtubs. I bought one a few years ago and it is beautiful. There are so many different styles and sizes that it’s hard to pick one. They’re open 11 am to 6 pm Thursday through Tuesday. The atmosphere has such a feeling of nostalgia you will definitely go back time and again.
If you’re not from here, plan at least a day to visit these shops. You won’t regret it. They’re all so unique. The image of glass shelves lined with breakables, each store looking the same as the last, will be replaced with tables full of any sort of antique you can imagine, jewelry that seems to never end, bedroom sets you want to curl up on and fall asleep and bathtubs from yesteryear. Who knows? Maybe that rare, hard to find item you have been seeking is waiting here just for you.
