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Antique adventures EP.1

7/19/2020

Antique shopping has been my go to COVID activity this month. I can spend hours rummaging through items & allowing my mind to wonder in a sea of nostalgia.
The mask comes in handy as well for not only stopping potential germs, but from the sometimes excessive dust from the gems in the shop. My initial thoughts, finds & personal opinions on my first three antiquing adventures.

Oddballs Collectibles
7850 W Broad Street
Henrico, VA 23294

My first experience in an antique/ collectible store was Oddballs Collectibles. The name peaked my interest & the items in the window were intriguing to say the least. Oddballs seems to specialize in sports, music, & toy collectibles.

Their album selection is also pretty elite in comparison to the other Antique shops on my list. I was impressed to see the presence of Black music artists of the 60’s-80’s. When I did finally make it back to the front of the store, the store clerks were very friendly & took great pride in their selection.

Check out Oddballs if you want a good dose of African American & Pop Culture nostalgia.

West End Antique Mall
2004 Staples Mill Road
Richmond, VA 23230

After my first experience went so well I decided to jump in head first. West End Antique Mall pops up on every list for RVA Antique go to’s.

This store is for sure the picture you have in mind when you hear the words “Antique”. West End Antique Mall is HUGE. What stands out most is their selection of furniture from various time periods. What I enjoyed in particular about this shopping experience was the prevalence of COLOR. The patterns & overall aesthetic of each space was spot on & embodied the era of the items within.

This shop has a deep connection to historic Richmond. I came across photos, magazine clippings, and postcards specifically from Richmond. Venture to West End Antique Mall for a FULL immersive experience in antiquing. Make a day out of it.

Barrett Street Auction Center & Antique Mall
2645 Dean Dr
Virginia Beach, VA 23452

I spent the morning of my 27th Birthday on the Beach. Before heading back to Richmond, I decided to pop into Barrett Street Antique Mall. High reviews & directly off the highway, perfect!

I was immediately drawn to their use of space. Neon signs, even bikes hung from the ceiling.
Walking through I was immediately drawn to one room in particular. It was a 70’s boho vibe, the mix of live plants and earth tones sent me to another level. I bought atleast  three items from that room.

I should explain here, some  antique shops rent their booths to smaller consignment shops who are responsible for staging and acquiring pieces. While I was there, a young girl was happily painting the walls of her section a vibrant yellow. I enjoyed seeing how each room had it’s own unique spin to their collection.

During my adventure, the prevalence of Black culture was few & far between, which is always a disappointment. However, visit Barrett Street if you are near Virginia Beach & in search of few local gems.