Have you noticed the changing landscape of antique shopping in the Bay Area? Much like myself, for those who appreciate the unique charm of antiquing, a day dedicated to the "thrift circuit" is an exciting excursion. Collaborating with my sister, we commence our day with a cup of coffee and meticulously plan our itinerary, selecting a specific area to explore all the thrift, antique, and vintage stores. We are sure to thoroughly search each location, as the unpredictable nature of antique shopping offers the allure of discovering treasures one didn't even know existed. Spending an afternoon perusing the aisles and examining each booth is, undoubtedly, one of our preferred pastimes.
Lately we’ve been disheartened to find out our favorite antique malls are closing. It started earlier in 2023 with the news that the Cordelia Junction Antique Mall (or "The Antique Train" as many called it) announced its closure. Then came the Midway Antique Mall, which announced its imminent closure on January 21st, 2024. Followed by Stuff SF closing in February 2024. Are the days of the Antique Malls in the Bay Area coming to an end? (Yes, we know Midway and Cordelia are technically in the Greater Sacramento area, but many Bay Area friends travel there to shop!)
Shopping at an Antique Mall
Doing any sort of shopping at an antique mall requires patience and time. Either you love it, or you really hate it. A lot of people that visit The Cat Vintage remark that they appreciate the store's layout. The Cat doesn't rent space like your traditional antique mall. The whole store is our own inventory, organized by style. A typical antique store rents “booth space”, and has many vendors put their inventory in that booth space. This can create a sort of dis-jointed shopping experience, which is why a lot of people get overwhelmed in an antique store. Some vendors care a lot, keep their booth space pristine, and have a general style of antique or vintage that they specialize in. Other vendors seem to just throw stuff in a booth with no prices. It takes a certain type of person who is really into antiques to persevere and dig to find what they like in these spaces.
Why Are Bay Area Antique Stores Closing
Many cite “retirement”, but we know the real reason Bay Area antique stores are closing: the rent is too damn high. These types of antique stores require a huge footprint in order to create enough booth space to rent out. It is much harder for this model to exist in a smaller storefront. As locations become popular, landlords raise rent. For many of us running an antique store, it requires a lot of effort on our part that is not rewarded fiscally the way other businesses can be. Rent gets raised? There goes the entire profit for the month. Let’s face it, none of us can survive on the love of selling antiques and talking to customers all day without turning a profit.
Other reasons that antique shops are closing are that the way people shop has changed. The days of low-effort brick and mortar locations are at an end. Customers expect an experience now, and it better be a good one. From customer service skills, packaging, logos, and presentation - the experience reigns supreme. Antique shopping veterans will deal with a salty character at the checkout to get what they want, but a lot of customers coming in will not come back.
The last big reason shopping for antiques is changing? The internet. Customers are getting more accustomed to having the world at their fingertips and online shopping. The traditional style antique mall simply can’t compete with marketplaces like Ebay or Etsy. Most of these traditional antique stores barely have a website. If they do have a website, it is more of a placeholder so you can find their phone number and hours. That is why at The Cat Vintage we offer nearly everything in our store for sale online. We offer local pickup or shipping too!
Where to Shop for Antiques in the Bay Area
Antique shopping in the Bay Area may be changing, but it is not disappearing. There are still tons of amazing antique and vintage stores to shop. But how do you find them? We suggest searching google maps with keywords like “antique” or “vintage” + “stores near me”. This pulls up a list localized for you. Another way to find these gems; ask your local shops! Most antique store owners know about a lot of shops in the area and are happy to direct you to their favorite locations.
Alameda Point Antiques Faire is a world renowned event that happens on the first Sunday of every month. There is an entry fee, but it is worth it! You can make a whole day of searching the inventory of hundreds of antique and vintage vendors. There is something there for everyone, even the person who is just along for the ride. The food offerings are amazing!
Check out little towns just outside your circle. Martinez has a buzzing downtown with several antique mall style shops, vintage record stores, and more. First Street in Benecia has a plethora of small antique and vintage stores. Our pals The Traveling Museum have a spot inside Pocket Monkey Vintage you don't want to miss! Of course Vallejo has some great shops on Georgia street as well. Yesteryear's Marketplace is one of our absolute favorites!
Crockett and Port Costa have their own retro stores and vibe, the whole experience of visiting feels like stepping into the past. You can't visit one without going to the other. Spending a day in these two hidden gems of the East Bay is the way to go!
Oakland has lots to offer, including a monthly pop up event; The Oakland Vintage Market that happens the first Saturday of every month. Pro tip: Check out The Sunshine Prophecy on Piedmont Ave!
Antique Shopping is Changing in The Bay - and That’s O.K.
We miss our favorite antique shopping haunts, but things change and that’s okay. The world evolves and antique shopping in The Bay Area is evolving with it. Our favorite antique malls closing forced us to find out how amazing these antique fairs and markets are. As well as helped us discover more niche vintage clothing stores, record shops, and more. These closures also pushed us into researching our favorite vintage items more, and buying them online!
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