Stuff that’s been around since dirt was new.

If I could go antique shopping every day, I would. If only I could find a way to get paid for it… Perfect day off? Antiquing. Great girls’ day? Antiquing. Fabulous first date? Antiquing. It gives me that same feeling I’d get in grade school on field trip days-an exploring, learning adventure awaits. I want to dress up like Indiana Jones and dig around for some hidden, mystical treasure. Did I mention that I love antiquing?

Ok, so maybe I take it a little too far, but it is a fun way to spend some time. I find that most retrophiliacs are also collectors. People collect all kinds of things: old tools, dolls, movie and music memorabilia, just about anything. I love dishware and ceramics, especially early to mid-century. But what I enjoy most is the hunt.

I often find things that I’ve never seen before but were very well-known just a generation or two ago. I’ll be holding a thingamajig in one hand, and I’ll be Googling it in the other. It says something about how fast things are becoming obsolete in favor of the new and improved. However, in many cases, you might find yourself thinking, “They just don’t make things with this quality anymore.” And finding ways to repurpose those things is a fun challenge. Those metal, slice-your-hand-off ice trays? They make pretty good seed starters. Vintage train case? Excellent holder for my drill and all of its small attachments. Repurposing vintage items is a great way to show off your style and depart from the expected.

There are plenty of shops to visit on the Northshore. The inventory is always changing, so grab it if you like it because it may not be there tomorrow. Some shops are a mix of vintage/antiques and newly manufactured or handmade items. Most are consignment shops. My tip: if it’s stacked floor-to-ceiling with dusty things, the floors are creaking, and the ceiling is leaking, you are in the right place.