Those looking for one-of-a-kind home furnishings, a special piece of jewelry, vintage clothing, old-time holiday decorations, old tools or other special finds have plenty of places to shop in Berks County and surrounding areas.
The county is home to dozens of antique shops and malls, flea markets and large areas such as the Leesport Farmers Market, where shoppers can buy anything from collectibles to livestock to local produce.
Antique shop owners and employees are gearing up for a busy holiday season as shoppers are beginning to look for holiday items and special gifts for loved ones.
Some establishments will hold holiday open houses or other special events in hopes of attracting bargain seekers, nostalgic shoppers and those who are simply curious.
Nelda Corbett arranges holiday items in Morgantown Market, an antique shop on Main Street. Corbett is an antiques dealer who operates a booth in the market. (Susan Shelly)
“People come from here from all over the country and all over the world,” said Tracy Spencer, general manager of The Mill Property Antiques in Morgantown. “You never know what someone is going to be looking for.”
‘Adrenaline rush’
Henry Grabb of Downingtown, Chester County, stopped by The Mill Property Antiques recently in search of some Blue Ridge Pottery, a brand of tableware produced by Southern Potteries Incorporated during the 1930s, ’40s and ’50s.
Although he didn’t find anything to add to his collection, he was not discouraged.
“That’s OK,” Grabb said. “’I’ll stop by again and see if I find something. It’s all about the thrill of the hunt.”
Spencer agreed with Grabb, saying she understands the elation shoppers feel when they find the one-of-a-kind item they’ve been searching for.
“I don’t gamble, but I can understand that adrenaline rush and I think it’s the same feeling when you finally find something you’ve been after for a long time,” she said. “That’s why people keep coming back. It’s a treasure hunt.”
A stop at The Mill Property Antiques on the same day paid off for Robert Melick of Zionsville, Lehigh County, who walked out of the shop with an antique hand plane priced at $5.30.
“I have over 500 of them now,” said Melick, a self-described old-fashioned carpenter who will put the plane to use in his woodworking efforts. “You can never have too many planes.”
Something for everyone
Antique and collectible shoppers range from preteens to seniors, explained Stacey Thompson, owner of Morgantown Market, located just steps from The Mill Property Antiques on Main Street.
Young people sometimes come to the shop looking for something they’ve seen on TikTok or another social media platform, while older shoppers often are looking for items to complete a collection they’ve been working on for years.
Vintage jewelry and jewelry jars, which are containers holding a surprise mix of jewelry, are popular among young shoppers who have seen them online.
Younger shoppers also look for vintage clothing, according to P.J. Imming, a vendor at The Mill Property Antiques.
“The young crowd is into vintage T-shirts,” she said. “A lot of them are really into reusing things and they’re very creative about how they do that.”
Amish people sometimes come into the store looking for oil lamps to use in their homes, Spencer said, and people working on plays or movies shop there to find authentic items for their sets.
And with many people having to limit spending right now due to rising costs and economic uncertainty, increasing numbers of shoppers are looking to the antique shops for affordable furniture and home furnishings, according to Thompson.
“Everybody has a reason for coming in and generally, there’s something for everyone,” she said.
The owners and operators of the at the Leesport Antique Mart at 162 N. Centre Ave. are, from left, Steve and Kim Dundore, Faye Dundore and Mary Louise Dundore and Robert Gardner. (BILL UHRICH/READING EAGLE)
Mary Louise Dundore, a family member who works at the Leesport Antiques Mart, said collectors come in search of fountain pens, Depression glass, Pyrex, clothing, art, coins, trading cards, bottles, toys, decorations and practically anything else you can imagine.
“If you can imagine it, there’s somebody looking for it,” she said.
Holiday nostalgia draws people into shops
With the holiday season fast approaching, interest in decorations of the past is on the rise.
“Someone came into the store on Saturday and said, ‘Show me the red stuff,’” Spencer said. “She wanted to know where the holidays decorations are.”
A variety of Christmas ornaments at the Leesport Antique Mart. (BILL UHRICH/READING EAGLE)
Thompson said it’s largely nostalgia that brings many people into the Morgantown Market at this time of year.
“They’re looking for a little bit of their childhood,” she said. “A happy memory of when there was less stress and just, less everything.”
Christmas decorations are on display at the Leesport Antique Mart, 162 N. Centre Ave. (BILL UHRICH/READING EAGLE)
Popular items include Shiny Brite ornaments, classic plastic porch Santas and snowmen, vintage winter animals, framed illustrations, old sleds and ice skates and traditional Christmas cards.
“Most people love anything that looks like something their grandparents or great-grandparents might have had,” Thompson said.
Dundore agreed, saying antiques can help keep stories and memories alive.
“These things have been around for 100 years and, if they find the right owners, will be around for another 100 years,” she said. “They all have a story to tell.”
Notable antique shops in Berks, surrounding counties
While it’s true that Adamstown, located just over the Berks line in Lancaster County, proudly holds the title of “Antiques Capital USA,” Berks also has plenty of shops and markets for antique lovers.
This short list, which is based on recommendations from Yelp and other online sources, is by no means comprehensive. It’s just meant to provide a starting place for anyone who wants to get out and see what Berks County has to offer.
• Fleetwood Antique Mall: 14129 Kutztown Road, Richmond Township. Open Wednesday through Sunday.
• Hamburg Antiques Center: 20 S. Fourth St. Open every day except Tuesday.
• Mema’s Memories: Antiques and General Store: 21 S. Third St., Hamburg. Open Thursday through Sunday.
• Kirbyville Antiques: 13973 Kutztown Road, Richmond Township. Open Thursday through Sunday.
• Greshville Antiques and Fine Art: 1041 Reading Ave., Douglass Township. Open Saturday.
• Renninger’s Antique & Collectors Markets: 740 Noble St., Kutztown. Open Friday and Saturday.
• Under the Sun: 1903 Old Swede Road, Amity Township. Open Monday, and Thursday through Sunday.
• BBH Furniture & Antiques: 4921 Kutztown Road, Muhlenberg Township. Open daily.
• Mayfield on Noble: 544 Noble St., Kutztown. Open Thursday through Sunday.
• Barn House of Antiques & Primitives: 107 Monocacy Hill Road, Amity Township. Open Saturday and Sunday.