Readers recommend their favorite antique haunts

Recently, I wrote that I was often contacted by new residents asking for suggestions for interesting places to search for antiques and collectibles. In turn, I asked readers to share their favorite antique shops in the area.

Linda Milsow, of Spokane sent an e-mail with two suggestions. “I’ve recently discovered two fun shops that should be on our resource guide for people new to Spokane,” she wrote.

Milsow recommended Tres Chic Jonque!, located at 1023 W. First Ave.

She told me shop owner Diane Culley is an artist and skilled furniture reclaimer. Most of her inventory is purchased at local garage sales and flea markets, and then cleaned, refurbished and hand-painted. Culley uses fabric and architectural salvage to create interesting pieces. She also sells new items and hand-crafted board games.

Another Milsow favorite is The Vintage Truffle on Division Street. “They have wonderful truffles and other sweets, coffees and teas in a small house packed with collectibles,” she wrote.

Pat Miller wrote to tell me about a new store in Coeur d’Alene. “Original Bliss has a mixture of Shabby Chic, new and vintage furniture, great smelling candles, chandeliers, clocks, mirrors and other new, used, and restored furniture,” Miller wrote. “It’s a ‘feel good’ store.”

Elaine O’Connor called to say her favorite stop is BJ’s Boutique adjacent to the Goodwill on Third Avenue. “I’m always impressed by what they have in there, and the fact that new merchandise is put out all through the day,” O’Connor said.

Dave Haugen, a man who says he has been prowling through these places for 30 years, leaves nothing to chance when it comes to junking. He sent a long list of favorite stops.

Haugen recommended The Vintage Rabbit Antique Mall on Monroe Street, (“The best place for quantity and quality,”) and B & B Junk in Hillyard (“The best place for getting down on your knees and digging around.”)

He also likes Antiquarian on South Division Street for furniture and Finders Keepers in Browne’s Addition as well as Main Street Antiques on the corner of Division Street and Main Avenue.

Haugen describes On the Boulevard, as an upscale shop with authentic clothing, furniture and decorative items, and recommends Second Time Around, on North Freya Street, as another good source for unusual finds.

Haugen also sent a list of favorites in Coeur d’Alene that included the Coeur d’Alene Antique Mall on Government Way, as well as Wiggets Marketplace and Cisco’s.

“Cisco’s is a nationally known repository of Western memorabilia,” Haugen wrote. “It’s a trip to a veritable museum.”

For those antiquing beyond Spokane and Coeur d’Alene, Janet Nelson, of Soap Lake, Wash., sent a list of her favorite stops: “I like the Windmill Antique Shop in Soap Lake, and Reiner’s Antiques in Ephrata (Wash.),” Nelson wrote.

Other favorites were the Quincy Antique Mall in Quincy, Wash., and Apple Annie’s Antique Mall in Cashmere, Wash.

“Of course, for a town-wide abundance of shopping,” Nelson wrote, “Nothing beats Snohomish.”

If you like to search for antiques and collectibles, we’re surrounded by good places to shop for treasures. And this is only a short list.

I’m sure I’ll get more recommendations and I’ll be happy to pass them along.

Reader recommendations

Spokane

Tres Chic Jonque!, 1023 W. First Ave.

The Vintage Truffle, 101 E. Nora St.

Original Bliss, 625 W. Dalton (just off Highway 95 behind Skate Plaza Family Entertainment Center.)

The Vintage Rabbit Antique Mall, 2317 N. Monroe St.

B. & B. Junk, 5002 N. Market St.

BJ’s Boutique, 202 E. Third Ave.

Finder’s Keepers, 112 S. Cedar St.

Antiquarian, 116 S. Division St.

Main Street Antiques, 7 W. Main Ave.

On the Boulevard, 2901 W. Northwest Blvd.

Second Time Around, 322 N. Freya St.

Coeur d’Alene

The Coeur d’Alene Antique Mall, 3650 N. Government Way

Wiggets Antiques and Gifts, 119 North Fourth St, Coeur d’Alene.

Cisco’s, Hunters of the Past, 212 N. Fourth Street, Coeur d’Alene.

Calendar

The Flea Market will be at Spokane County Fair and Expo Center, 404 N. Havana St., April 2 and 3. For more information call (208) 746-5555

The 12th Annual “Mom’s Weekend Antique Show” in Pullman is coming up.

The popular antique sale will be held Saturday, April 8, from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. and April 9 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the Gladish Gym on Main Street. Admission is free.

Dealers include Sherry and Ted Folk, Susan Heise, Lisa Reichart, Warren and Bonnie Smith. Jolene Laven and Barbara Feil.

Items for sale include jewelry, vintage clothing and accessories, textiles, dolls, ephemera and small furniture.