While antique shops typically contain higher end items than thrift stores, it’s still possible to get some great deals on unique pieces-- And, like thrift-shopping, with antiquing, the fun is in the quest. I particularly like to go to antique malls, or areas where multiple stores are consolidated in the same general area. It makes it worth the drive, and often, you can find comparable items from different vendors and do cost comparisons. It’s a good opportunity to get what you want at an affordable price.

 

Antique shops can range from those that carry only the very best, most pristine antiques with clear investment value, to ones that also include vintage items and possible fixer-upper opportunities. I’m a big fan of the latter category. Below, I’ve listed a few of my more favorite antiquing haunts in the western Pennsylvania and eastern Ohio region.

 

And for more information on a few specific antiquing trips in the region, you might also want to read my past weekly blogs (just click a link) on:

 

 

 

 

This mini two-floor antique mall seems to have cropped up in 2005/2006, and they’re getting more items all the time. There is an emphasis on Victoriana here and, overall, the prices are reasonable. The people who own the place are pleasant and receptive to questions.

 

 

 

This three-floor antique mall is located in the main shopping district of Beaver Falls, about five minutes away from the Pennsylvania Riverfront Antique Mall. It’s got a wide variety of items, and I particularly like that it’s open often and consistently. I’ve gotten everything from vintage sheet music to Edwardian postcards and even pieces of jadeite here.

 

 

 

Lots of Victoriana and retro kitchenalia here. The shop is comprised of three main-floor rooms and one basement room. Glass collectors may wish to pay it a visit. Prices fluctuate-- so like any store you go into, it’s good to know what you are looking for and what you plan to pay. The owner was very helpful and nice, and even recommended a good place for lunch in the area-- The Rusty Nail three blocks down the street.

 

 

2141 Ardmore Blvd., Pittsburgh, PA 15221, (412) 271-3738

 

This little shop on in Forest Hills offers a combination of antiques, collectibles and gift items. The antiques focus largely on glassware and textiles, while gift items include Pittsburgh photography/nostalgia, jewelry, and decorative items like candles.

 

 

 

Stained glass windows and antique light fixtures hang from the ceiling, the walls… Stone gargoyles and marble cherubs make mischief: this is architectural salvage at its best. You’ll see bits from churches, from old mansions, you name it. You probably won’t get any major deals here, but it’s a real education in the past, and if you’re looking for that very specific something to install in your home, I would recommend a visit. They have the most beautiful stained glass windows I’ve ever seen.

 

 

Columbiana Antiques Gallery

 

With three floors-- two full floors and a basement-- this antique mall is certainly worth a visit. There’s a mix of items-- I did notice quite a bit of costume jewelry for fans of that-- and the basement was one of the few in antique malls where I felt the items down there were as good as those elsewhere in the mall.

 

 

 

This antique mall is literally at the crossroads of Route 110 and 119, 4 miles out of downtown Indiana, Pennsylvania. Here you’ll find a little bit of everything, all on two floors. And that includes vintage kitchenalia, furniture,  jewelry, collectibles, almost any kind of glass you can imagine... It was a good time.

 

 

 

Not to be confused with the L&L Fleatique in Jeanette, the Flea Tique near IdleWild Park is quite a large building with three enormous rooms filled with booths. The place itself has a very Western Pennsylvania garage sale atmosphere to it—it’s musty-dusty and might remind you of Gramma’s basement. And like Gramma’s basement, you never know what interesting item you might find there. Probably better for collectible glassware and general vintage items than antiques, it’s still possible to uncover some treasures.

 

 

 

If you’re coming from Pittsburgh, this is literally about 200 yards and a U-turn away from the Flea Tique. And I’ve found it’s a good place for some nicely-priced Victorian and Edwardian glassware and prints. I recommend you visit the set of vendors on the LEFT of the building. That part of the operation seems to be open regularly, and has a wide range of antiques and collectibles. There appears to be an entirely separate set of antique vendors on the far RIGHT side of the building, but they’re rarely open whenever I’ve visited and when they are, they appear surprisingly disinterested in actually having customers. In fact, many things I might have been interested in were not even priced and no one seemed inclined to assist. The pathways there were also dangerously cluttered with potentially-breakable items. I’ve heard similar experiences from others who have visited, so I wanted to make sure to pass the info on to you all.

 

 

 

Last I was here, due to a plumbing flood, they were down to one main room of antiques, but they typically have some very nice Victorian parlor furniture and interesting glassware. They also have been very good about doing a little better on a price when I’ve asked. This is just down the road from “Remember When Antiques” in central Apollo.

 

 

•    1451 Collier Ave, Carnegie, PA 15106  (412) 429-9223

 

Two locations, both “antique malls” are actually in old houses. Go around narrow staircases, through what used to be parlors, bedrooms and entryways and there’s quite a few antiques to see. To be honest, I’ve only been here once or twice-- these shops are a little nerve-wracking to visit if there are very many other people trying to look, too. The places are crammed and there’s nowhere to politely dodge out of the way. Merchandise varies between high end/high price, and affordable. If you’re looking for something in particular, however, it would be worth stopping by.

 

 

 

Two-and-a-half floors o’ ‘tiques! The folks here are always friendly and helpful, and there’s everything from furniture to glassware and decorative prints. Prices vary, but they do have regular sales. Speaking of glassware, it’s also home to the Jeannette Glass Museum, two rooms of museum pieces representative of the town of Jeannette’s glassmaking heritage. So hey, it’s not just shoppin’, it’s learnin’ too!

 

 

 

Come through the front door of Junk for Joy and a disembodied voice from the back of the store will call to you, telling you to make yourself at home. Wind through the various rows of antiques on the first floor, then head to the second floor where the “Junk” is located. If you need a particular missing piece from a vintage plate or glass set, or if you’re looking for furniture that you don’t mind spending the time to fix up, this place can be huge fun. I bought a couple of  antique mirrors in dodgy condition for about $5 each, and cottaged them up with some white paint. Now they’re gems!

 

 

 

The folks who work in this place have FUN, and that really does seem to transfer over to the overall shopping experience. Visit on a weekend-- especially a Steelers game day-- and this place is hopping. The items range from antiques to collectibles, vintage items and some crafts. It’s a flea market. It’s an antique mall-- it’s a fleatique. I once was even able to get yards of vintage upholstery velvet here. Yum!

 

 

 

This isn’t the biggest shop, but boy, is it crammed with stuff. The owner tends to mix new items with vintage and antique ones, so it’s important to have an awareness of what’s old and what’s not. There is emphasis on the retro and kitsch, though I did get a German lusterware “Forget me not” cup here which I love. Take your time looking-- there’s a whole lot to see. Fans of Mid-Century Modern style will find MUCH to love here. And now the shop has opened a basement room, with lots of Mid-Century styling-- furniture, lamps etc., in it.

 

 

 

This antique mall is located in the warehouse district of Pittsburgh. The vendors here know what they have, and the items are priced accordingly. It’s nicely laid-out, and pleasant to look at the fine examples of Victoriana and French-influenced pieces. More than anything, I view it as a great place to go for getting ideas!

 

 

 

Three floors of antique goodies in this antique mall converted from a large Victorian home. They’re still in the process of moving in, but there’s much to see already. Quite a mixed bag of things here, and the prices are reasonable.

 

 

 

Owner Earl Johnson refinishes and reupholsters a lot of the furniture in his bright and airy shop, and he has a real knack for helping tired pieces look their best. Earl’s also been really helpful to me when I was looking for a specific piece of furniture for a certain space. In fact, my bedroom dresser, side table and vanity all came from his store. He has two smaller rooms that contain collectibles.

 

 

 

This two-floored antique mall is right on the main street of Apollo. The place emphasizes rustic items, possibly because of its rural location, but there’s a variety of vintage and antique items, too, many in a reasonable price range. I found my first art nouveau advertising plate here-- the plate that launched a very happy collection.

 

 

 

Ah, it’s a sad day in Whoville to learn that this branch closed. It admittedly had gone from hundreds of vendors to a much smaller mall spun as “See Our New Look!” Well, The Thrift Shop Romantic gives a fond farewell salute to the Riverfront Antique Mall. Many goodies were found here in its heyday. (Sniff.) And special thanks to the reader who let me know this closed in advance  of my driving out there only to be deeply disappointed.

 

 

 

A straight shot out from Pittsburgh, and roughly 90 minutes away, the Ohio Riverfront Antique Mall is a worthwhile roadtrip. If you’re looking for quality antiques, there are simply cases of them. The prices vary from vendor to vendor, but tend to be slightly on the higher side. That said, I’ve also gotten some incredible deals on items I would not trade-- like the early 1900s portrait plate I found for $1. (Yes, ONE dollar-- I was dancin’.) My overall impression is that there are more unique and harder-to-find items here at the Ohio mall than the Pennsylvania one; but that may just depend on what you’re looking for. And like in the Pennsylvania mall, don’t forget to wear some comfy shoes. You’ll be getting your exercise.

 

 

 

Formerly known as the Pittsburgh Antique Mall, this antiquing spot is located in Pittsburgh’s South Hills area. With two floors and undergoing a new renaissance here, they have been bought by a new owner, who is redoing the layout and getting new vendors in.  That said, I’m very hopeful about the new look and new blood in the shops. I found some very nice bisque pieces there at a fair price since the new ownership. They’re open 10-5 daily, but closed Wednesdays.

 

 

 

This four-floor antique mall seems to go on forever. With approximately 200 vendors, and almost anything you might be looking for, Pottery City is good fun for the antique lover. Right in the heart of the American whiteware industry, folks looking to collect whiteware porcelain, and Fiestaware, won’t be disappointed.

 

 

 

Canonsburg itself is a town loaded with little antique shops, though this is the one I patronize most regularly because it is open more regular hours, it has the largest number of vendors in one place, and its prices are, overall, the most reasonable. It’s pretty standard as far as antique shops go. I haven’t noticed that merchandise moves very quickly; it could be the slightly out of the way location, about 40 minutes south of Downtown Pittsburgh.

 

 

9043 US Route 250 SE, Dennison, OH 44621, (800) 247-3704

 

I stumbled on this place on my way to the Riverfront Antique Mall in New Philadelphia, and had an absolute blast. You can find some good deals here, and it’s not high-pressure. The wares are largely mid-range, but there are some booths that seem to cater to items that are a little imperfect, and the prices reflect that. There were some very good deals on fixer-upper Victorian furniture items, which would sadly not fit in my car. If you have access to a truck to carry it, and you have no fear of reupholstery, you may do well.

 

 

 

Like Pittsburgh’s Southside itself, this place is quirky. The lower floor is so crowded with stuff, I’m always left with the feeling I’ve accidentally overlooked something. When I took my dad here, I was pretty sure I’d lose him in the reverie of so many curious items, and would have to send out a search party. There is stuff hanging from the ceiling. There is stuff piled along the walls. In fact there are so many retro, vintage and antique items in this place that there is a single small path that leads around the place. The upstairs largely contains gallery artwork and the “better” antiques.

 

 

 

Don’t let the new collectable and gift items in the left hand side of the store fool you-- there are antiques and good old “junk” here on the right-hand side. And don’t miss visiting the basement if you’re looking for more thrift-shop oriented housewares. The prices are quite good, and you may uncover a missing piece to a glassware set, a table... who knows?

 

 

 

Located just North of Pittsburgh, Wagon Wheel Antiques is comprised of one main house-store and three sizable outbuildings. The people there make you feel welcome, and the antiques are of a good quality. Merchandise pretty much runs the gamut. There are two places you can pay-- in the main building, and at the building in the back of the property. Due to the associated fees, they prefer checks over credit cards, though they do accept them.

 

 

 

Just a couple of miles off the Wexford exit on 79, you’ll find this charming two-floor antique mall. Lots of things to see here and arranged in beautiful fashion. From vintage clothes and antique books, to old tools, ephemera, glassware, toys and more, there’s pretty much something for everybody. Prices are about mid-range for antiques. There is also a several room outbuilding or “Annex” with even more items.

 

 

 

You might think you’ve gone through the Looking Glass, because the general atmosphere of this place is very bohemian and surreal. It’s got antiques, it’s got collections of more kitschy things in one place than I’ve often seen (like hundreds of salt-and-pepper-shakers shaped like cats in a single glass case)--- and it surrounds a tea room and cafe. You can buy the things that decorate the café walls-- if you happen to need, for instance, hundreds of salt and pepper shakers shaped like cats. It always seems kinda dusty to me for a place that serves food (I admit, I haven’t eaten here, so can’t attest to the cuisine). But it’s an off-beat experience.  

 

 

2703 Penn Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15222, (412) 338-0800

 

Located at the very beginning of Pittsburgh’s “Strip District) (not as dodgy as it sounds!) you’ll find this large antique store. I understand from the owner than they moved to this location in May 2007. And the large tin-ceiling building contains a variety of antique furnishings, vintage and antique glassware, ephemera and art, at reasonable prices.