The history of Pennsylvania is rather a rich one. It’s one of the best-known American states throughout the centuries of its existence. During the industrial revolution and the entire process of industrialization, Pennsylvania was the heart of manufacturing and craftsmanship. The best furniture was made there, along with various other products. Today, these traits are exactly what makes Pennsylvania one of the best places to hunt for antique goods.
It’s true, Pennsylvania is full of surprises and excitement, but much of that excitement lies in the fact that it’s one of the best places to visit if you’re looking for vintage and antique items. It’s one of the states with the most antique stores in the country, with what is believed to be much over 100,000 square feet of antique stores to explore.
Many people who are visiting Pennsylvania for its antique heritage suggest that one day is simply not enough to explore what you want, especially if you are looking for something specific, as Pennsylvania is not a small state, and in addition to that, it’s rich in different types of antique furniture which can’t be found anywhere else anymore.
With that in mind, if you’re planning to visit Pennsylvania, and then travel around searching for the best antique stores, it’d be good to plan this trip. Many people who have dug for the treasures that Pennsylvania offers in terms of antiques say that it should be a trip lasting from 5 to 7 days.
The reason for that is so that you can visit everything timely and have enough time to relax in the process, learn about the antique items being offered, and much more. Exploring antique stores in Pennsylvania is no easy feat, which is why it’s good to know which towns have the most antique stores, and more importantly, precisely which stores have a good offer.
The best way for that is to search the map for different stores, and see whether their websites have online stores or Instagram accounts where they share the furniture. Reading reviews can also help learn what kind of antique goods they offer and whether they are authentic.
Lastly, you can read a guide like this one to inform yourself which antique stores are the best. We wrote this guide with a lot of attention to detail and care to find the variety among antique goods and collectibles. Continue reading to see which antique stores made the top 8 of our list and how to make the best time out of your antique hunt!
Most Popular Antique Stores in Pennsylvania
Whether you’re looking for vintage pop culture toys, cutlery from the 19th century, wooden furniture, or elite artisan furnishings, Pennsylvania is the best place you can be in search for unique antique pieces. Continue reading below for our take on top antique stores in Pennsylvania.
Adamstown Antique Mall (Adamstown)
- Location: 3014 N Reading Rd, Adamstown, PA 19501, United States
- Website: NA
- Social Media: https://www.facebook.com/AdamstownAntiqueMall/?_rdc=1&_rdr
Without a doubt, Adamstown is considered one of the antique capitals of America, which is why this Adamstown Antique Mall has a large capacity for antique goods. It is located at the heart of Adamstown and offers various goods when it comes to both furniture and collectible goods.
Unfortunately, we couldn’t find the website, as the domain expired, but some of the antique goods can be found on the Facebook page of the mall. You can find long-term dealers there who only sell the best of the furniture and smaller goods for people who want to decorate their home in a rustic and traditional way in combination with modern furniture.
The dealers are very polite, and they are knowledgeable about the furniture and other collectibles they are selling. That being said, expect to be greeted with a good mood, positive energy, and good prices. Given it’s a larger mall, it’ll be possible to negotiate some better prices, but don’t haggle too much as they may refuse to sell you the piece at all.
There’s a varied selection of good quality items, but one thing that truly stands out compared to other antique stores is the collection of glassware of excellent quality. That being said, watch your step and avoid carrying large bags into the store.
Cackleberry Farm Antique Mall (Paradise)
- Location: 3371 E Lincoln Hwy, Paradise, PA 17562, United States
- Website: http://cackleberryfarmantiquemall.com/
- Social Media: https://www.instagram.com/cackleberry_farm_antique_mall/
My extreme curiosity and wish to learn and see more about the antique heritage of Pennsylvania took us to the little town of Paradise which only has about 1,200 citizens living in it. Nevertheless, it didn’t stop the amazing Cackleberry Farm Antique Mall from blooming here.
Although this small town or village is just so small and barely known, this antique farm mall spans over 26,000 square feet and boasts all the sorts of antique and vintage products that you can only dream about.
It’s worth mentioning that the farm rather specializes in the smaller, decorative aspects of the antique heritage, rather than large furniture, but there’s a varied selection of all sorts of things you can think of.
Some items are more vintage and include collectible toys, Globus, posters, vinyl records, smaller sculptures, and much more. When it comes to the antique listing of products, you can see winter clothing, paintings, jewelry, cutlery, and much more.
The best thing is that all prices are listed accordingly, so you won’t have to go around looking for staff to answer you with the prices. On top of that, all the prices are quite reasonable and the staff is courteous and extremely helpful.
The Antique Marketplace of Lemoyne (Lemoyne)
- Location: 415 Bosler Ave, Lemoyne, PA 17043, United States
- Website: https://theantiquemarketplaceoflemoyne.com/
- Social Media: https://www.instagram.com/antique_marketplace/
Whether you’re looking for a sweet decoration that will go on par with modern furniture and décor, antique Christmas decorations, trees and ornaments, jewelry, or collectibles such as sleds, teddy bears, and others, you must pay a visit to the sweet antique store in Lemoyne.
Their website is quite detailed and educational, providing a brief history of the town, the marketplace, and items that can be found there. The social media page also regularly posts information about the available items and the kind of items that can be found there.
Located in the heart of Lemoyne, you can easily navigate yourself through the store, and experience the rich heritage of vintage and antique cutlery, wooden furniture, teddy bears, and other types of toys and much more.
The staff will also help you discover new items to your liking, but one thing that is available in abundance and quite authentic is the variety of different Christmas decorations and ornaments.
Merchants Square Mall (Allentown)
- Location: 1901 S 12th St, Allentown, PA 18103, United States
- Website: NA
- Social Media: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100069772016705&paipv=0&eav=AfYU9tkYttPX9G3ZqwKzVzICcx2d8i8qf4S3f7zm3cKRl53nADWizu9Rydx-b_iUhS4
The online presence of Merchants Square Mall is quite weak. The website domain and hosting expired and they are only occasionally active on their Facebook page. Don’t let yourself be confused, because the selection of fine products offered by them is quite astonishing and large.
This is an ideal place for people looking for vintage toys to decorate their bedroom or children’s room with. That being said, you may be able to find some vintage board games, toys like trucks, dolls, stuffed animals, and much more.
You can also score an antique bicycle if you’re lucky enough, and you will also be able to discover another type of furniture such as chairs, rocking chairs, stuffed chairs, sofas, beds, tables, cabinets, and other wooden furniture. The store is also well equipped with glassware, wooden cutlery, and other cutlery types.
The place often hosts decays and garage sales, but because the Facebook page and site are no longer updated, it’s hard to inform yourself when such things might take place unless you’re a local.
Nevertheless, the sellers will provide you with all the guidance you need and help you choose exactly what you need. Prices are also great, so everyone can score a collectible for themselves.
Burning Bridge Antique Market (Columbia)
- Location: 304 Walnut St, Columbia, PA 17512, United States
- Website: https://burningbridgeantiques.com/
- Social Media: https://www.instagram.com/burningbridgeantiques/
There are a lot of things to visit in Columbia, and among various antique stores there Burning Bridge Antique Market simply excels with the offer they have. Anyone can find anything for themselves, as this large market will excite everyone’s senses.
You will find a large collection of vintage toys, musical instruments, and sleds, as well as various antique collectibles, including jewelry, furniture, glassware, and even civil war items.
It’s worth mentioning that they have some of the best cutlery we’ve seen in Pennsylvania, which will excite everyone who wants to decorate their kitchen or pantry with antique, yet durable collectibles.
The staff at Burning Bridge Antique Market is willing to help, and they are quite knowledgeable about the items they sell. Everyone specializes in something different, which gives more edge in meeting the needs of people looking for particular items.
The prices are quite reasonable, and if you come there with a plan to get more items than one, they’ll likely reward you with a good bargain. The store is also known for hosting auctions and garage sales, so keep yourself updated on their Instagram page to know when is the next discount taking place.
Bootleg Antiques
- Location: 135 Bridge St, Columbia, PA 17512, United States
- Website: https://bootlegantiques.net/
- Social Media: https://www.instagram.com/bootlegantiques/
Bootleg antique stores can be found in Columbia, which is the second most popular antique area in Pennsylvania. There, you can find a little empire of all rustic things that resemble the cottage-core lifestyle.
Whether you’re looking for a way to furnish and decorate your garden in a country or rustic style, there is no better place than this one. In addition to that, the staff is very kind and courteous. The prices are great and eligible for a bargain. Aside from large furniture, you can also find antiques and vintage jewelry.
Other things include cutlery, mainly made of crystalline glass, bicycles, sculptures, and even toys. The site is well-designed and allows you to sign up for a mailing list to get the latest information about new items and sales. Additionally, there’s a Bootleg café, where you can unwind after successful shopping.
Mad Hatter Antique Mall (Adamstown)
- Location: 61 Willow St, Adamstown, PA 19501, United States
- Website: NA
- Social Media: https://www.facebook.com/MadHatterAntiqueMall/
Mad Hatter Antique Mall is another antique store with a great selection of rustic and mid-century modern in Adamstown, the capital of Antiques in Pennsylvania, and often thought in the USA itself. There, you will find a great selection of antique items, but mostly small items which are meant for decoration.
There is no website, but the group is very active on Facebook where they regularly share their offer, and all the nice incoming products sold there. The staff is well-informed, knowledgeable, and helpful. They’ll offer you the best price possible and give you a discount if you’re getting multiple items.
One thing that many people didn’t like is that the items are being held in glass cabinets for safety. However, if you express a wish to buy those items, they’ll be more than glad to give you a closer look. You can find wooden furniture, jewelry, ornaments, paintings, cutlery, and much more.
Stoudt’s Antique Mall (Adamstown)
- Location: 2800 N Reading Rd, Adamstown, PA 19501, United States
- Website: http://stoudts.com/antiques/
- Social Media: https://www.facebook.com/stoudtsantiques/
Stoudt’s antique mall offers some of the most exquisite antique presentations, not only in Adamstown but in the entire of Pennsylvania. It’s a place for everyone who deeply appreciates art and artisan furniture, and wants to decorate their place like an old palace.
You will find a beautiful collection of paintings from different years and genres, some of which are originals of known artists. Additionally, you’ll enjoy seeing the antique ottomans, chairs covered in beautiful leather and velvet fabrics, breathtaking textures, and much more. Our favorite thing is the fine selection of antique lamps with intricate designs and sculptures sculpted within.
The staff is quite helpful and open to a bargain, we only disliked that they are not active on social media, as much as some other stores we detailed.
Types of Furniture Sold in Pennsylvania
According to the reviewed stores in Pennsylvania, especially those in Adamstown we listed the most commonly found antiques in this American state.
- Furniture: Given that Pennsylvania is a rather industrial state, it’s common to find more furniture than in other states. Wooden furniture is some of the most popular, including oak cabinets, drawers, mirrors, chairs, ottomans, and even more.
- Lamps: Another thing we commonly saw in antique stores are lamps. Some of them have simple vintage designs, while the other ones have intricate carvings and sculpting.
- Cutlery: We saw the cutlery of all sorts of materials, even gold. Some plates and glasses were made of glass, while we also saw those made out of porcelain and ceramic. Most of them had creative floral textures, in different colors.
- Art: In some stores, we saw art. Whether it’s landscapes or portraits, you will enjoy the myriad of different genres and artistic approaches. We also saw sculptures made of porcelain and ceramic, some of them had quite creative twists and finishes.
- Jewelry: Although we didn’t see many jewelry antique stores, those that we did see left us speechless. Rings with floral etchings and carving and vibrant gemstones at the center, pearl necklaces and earrings, and much more made us wonder about the taste in fashion women had in the late 1800s.
- Toys: Lastly, some antique stores also sold toys including trucks, sleds, teddy bears, dolls, board games, and much more. There are even collectible teddy bears and dolls, so collectors can explore some nice additions to their collection.
Tips for Shopping at Antique Stores in PA
At first, sight, shopping for antiques can seem super easy, but it’s not. There are so many things that you need to consider and below, we detailed all the things you need to know when on your antique tour in Pennsylvania, read on!
Researching Prices
There are many ways to explore the price range of certain items. Since Pennsylvania as a whole used to be the industrial capital back in the 19th and 20th centuries, you will find various items that look similar or have the same label. However, exploring different antique stores will give you an insight into what prices truly are.
That’s why it’s never recommended to visit just one antique store in Pennsylvania. It’s important to create a tour of similar stores that you want to visit if you’re looking for similar items.
Another thing that you need to consider is whether the stores you want to visit have a website, Etsy or eBay store, or at least Instagram or Facebook page. Any of these gives you the option to explore the items each store offers, as well as see which items are authentic and how much they cost.
Authenticity of Items
Another thing that is important to check is the authenticity of items. The authenticity of items means that the item was originally made in the 1800s or 1900s and not replicated by the antique seller. One of the best things to check is by seeing the marks for wear and tear on the item, and also exploring the manufacturer’s marks on the furniture.
Alternatively, you can take an appraiser for you who can evaluate the item on spot and help you both identify it and evaluate it.
Bargaining Effectively
Generally, most antique sellers will allow for some level of negotiation and bargaining. However, they won’t let you drop the price too much. If you’re visiting open flea markets and garage sales, it’ll be easier to drop the price. Additionally, if you’re buying multiple items, you’re more likely to get a bigger discount.
Getting Specific Items
If you’re searching for very specific items like jewelry, weaponry, or cutlery, it’s best to research online and learn more about what specific items certain antique stores offer.
Depending on the town or city you’re visiting, you can check what antique stores are located there and see whether they sell what you’re looking for. Calling, emailing, and visiting their online stores on Etsy or eBay can give you a better insight into the offer they have.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you’re interested in shopping for antiques in PA, make sure to read this FAQ section and read the things you’ve possibly missed.
What’s the Antique Capital of Pennsylvania?
It’s safe to say that Columbia and Adamstown are the ultimate antique capitals of Pennsylvania. Needless, to say, they can easily compete with other out-of-state antique cities which have rich vintage and antique heritage. Adamstown has more than 5,000 antique vendors and all of them are worth visiting.
Is There a Way to Shop for Antiques Online in Pennsylvania?
A lot of people like to experience the rustic ambiance and smell of old that antique stores come with. However, some people find it more convenient to shop online. If some stores have online shops or Etsy or eBay stores, you can easily shop for antiques online. Watch out, antique collectibles on eBay are usually on an auction, so make sure to bid high.
Where Can I See Pictures of Antiques Goods Before Visiting?
The easiest way to see whether there is a picture gallery of antiques good from a certain shop is by checking whether the store is available on Google. Previous customers have probably uploaded some photos of the goods they purchased. Alternatively, you can visit the website of the store, if it has one, as well as social media such as Facebook and Instagram.
