Top Places For Antiquing In Philadelphia

The Philadelphia area is a premiere destination for antiquing. Our city is home to an estimated 100 antique shops and includes some of the country's foremost dealers.  Here is what you need to know and where to start for your first antiquing adventure.

Historic Antique Row Business Association (HARBA)
Pine Street between Broad and 9th Streets
Philadelphia, PA
(215) 219-5825
www.antique-row.org

Historic Antique Row is located on Pine Street between Broad and 9th Streets in Downtown Center City Philadelphia. Its beginnings date back to 2001, when the area shop owners attended a Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce meeting in order to establish a unique, organized destination for tourists and locals alike. The group and the area have been well received ever since, and HARBA has become one of the city's most well trafficked shopping destinations. HARBA represents all businesses in its boundaries and is a great place to stroll and browse for antiques, vintage items, apparel, books, crafts, furniture and music. If all that shopping works up an appetite, the area sports plenty of places to dine, including a coffee house, bar, deli, restaurants and even a theatre for entertainment.

Anastacia's Antiques
617 Bainbridge St.
Philadelphia, PA 19147
(215) 928-9111
www.anastaciasantiques.com

A shared admiration for the "darker side" of Victorian era aesthetics brought Anastacia Fahnestock and Scott Evans together at the Philadelphia College of Art. What began as a renovation of the former home and workspace of opera impresario Rudolfo Pili in South Philly morphed into Anastacia's Antiques. Anastacia's is now a 2,400 square foot showroom overflowing with a constantly changing assortment of all types of odd and mundane things. Once inside, you will experience a journey into the past that includes antique fixtures and showcases that set the mood for your experience. It is said that once you enter Anastacia's, you can spend hours there. Some people have even gone as far as to say they would love to live in the old space.

Architectural Antiques Exchange
715 North Second Street
Philadelphia, PA 19123
(215) 922-3669
www.architecturalantiques.com

Architectural Antiques is the place to go if you are looking for items dating from the 1700s through the 1930s. You can feast your eyes upon many styles of the past, including Victorian, Gothic, Colonial, French, Art Nouveau and Art Deco. Gaze in wonder at the reclaimed treasures from French and Belgium castles and churches, European saloons, pubs and mansions and admire the ornate woodwork from times gone by. For a glimpse at some by-gone wonders, click here.

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Classic Antiques
922 Pine Street
Philadelphia, PA 19107
(215) 629-0211
www.classicant.com

If you are in the mood to quench your thirst for French and English 18th and 19th century antique furniture and accessories, Classic Antiques is the best place to look. Situated in the Philadelphia Antique District, Classic Antiques features an array of armoires, chests, desks, tables, chairs, buffets, mirrors and more. The shop has been owned and operated by Carmen D'Amore for over 20 years. Mr. D'Amore travels frequently to Europe to discover unique and classical items to fill his shop.

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Rice's Market
6326 Greenhill Road
New Hope, PA
(215) 297-5993
www.rices.com

In 1860, Mr. A. L. Rice started what has come to be known as Rice's Sale & Country Market. Currently owned by Bobby and Barbara Blanche, vendors have flocked to Rice's from all over for more than 100 years to sell their goods at the infamous 30-acre outdoor market. Located in Bucks County, Rice's is conveniently located in the heart of an antique oasis spanning the shores of the Delaware in New Hope, PA and Lambertville, NJ. For years people have flocked to Rice's, to shop at as many as 700 vendors displaying an array of antiques and collectibles, jewelry, fresh fruits and vegetables, Amish meats and baked goods. Clothing and handbags can also be sought out.

Be sure to stroll through New Hope and take a short walk across the bridge to Lambertville to enjoy the quaint shops, restaurants and memories that only this area can offer. It's well worth a day or weekend trip to explore all the history and antiques that lie along the river.

Joanne Apice is a full-time benefits manager with 20 years of experience in Human Resources. She earned the Certified Employee Benefit Specialist designation from Wharton School and the International Foundation. A lifelong learner, PA Accident and Health, Life and Fixed Annuities Licensed, she navigates the employee benefit maze daily in Philadelphia. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.