Where Can I Find: Antique Stores/Thrift Shops

As part of the Newcomers Issue, City Pulse compiled several lists under the title “Where Can I Find…” These lists are meant as a brief guide for people unfamiliar with Lansing.

Antique shops:

The doily-fringed dividing line between antique shop, art gallery, thrift shop and glorified garage sale is frequently and flagrantly flouted in greater Lansing, but here are a few spots that will satisfy that particular urge to browse old objects that are clean, interesting, beautiful and all in one piece.

Mega Mall

15487 Old U.S. 27, Lansing

11 a.m.-6 p.m. 7 days

(517) 487-3275

This mecca is a major commitment. Set aside a serious block of time if you don’t want to miss out on anything in this maze of 40,000 square feet and 300 booths. There are vintage goods of every period and style, from matchbox cars to glassware, jewelry, Coca-Cola collectibles, birdhouses, teapots, clothing and hats, books, musical instruments — ah, but it’s hopeless. In the winter, people get their walking in here. That’s how big it is.

Dicker and Deal

710 E. Kalamazoo St., Lansing

Mon – Sat: 10am to 6pm
Sunday: 12pm to 5pm

(517) 487-3325

This family-operated business is a staple and has outlived several pawn and consignment shops for over 40 years. The shop has four locations, but the storefronts on Kalamazoo Street and South Cedar are arguably the most notable. For your electronics, fine jewelry, guns and war memorabilia, might I suggest the South Cedar location. If looking at firearms and literal stuffed animals hanging from walls isn’t your thing, the Kalamazoo spot has drop dead gorgeous antique furniture. The prices are reasonable enough that college students might even consider divvying up their paychecks.

Rosie + Matilda’s Vintage Marketplace

1219 Turner Road, Lansing

Open Wed.-Thur. 12 p.m.-7 p.m.

Fri.-Dat. 12 p.m.-8 p.m.

Sunday 12 p.m.-6 p.m.

(517) 290-0826

A classic, tastefully set up antique shop with an endlessly revolving variety of goods, from rustic to dainty — books, china, milk glass, old political campaign buttons, lamps, clothes, a few chairs and couches, and much more. A downstairs warren of rooms is designed not to tire you out with one disappointment after another, but to quietly delight and surprise you at every turn.

CoCo Blue

106 Cesar Chavez Ave., Lansing

Open 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday

10 a.m. – 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday

(517) 371-7437

You never know what will pop up in this small Old Town shop, from jewelry to small art prints, candles and other odds and ends. Recently spotted: a weird yellow planter made by dipping an old towel in cement and draping it over a bucket. A modest art gallery is tucked into the shop for good measure.

April’s Antiques and Home Furnishings

700 E. Kalamazoo St., Lansing

Open 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Tues.-Sat.

(517) 580-3293

Lots and lots and lots of used furniture and home décor in a wide variety of periods and styles.

Maple Street Mall

108 W. Maple St., Mason

Monday-Sunday, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.

517) 244-9444

Tiimeless Treasures

525 N Cedar St, Mason

Mon-Fri: 10 a.m.-6 p.m.

(517) 202-6637

Consignment/Thrift Stores:

Driving 70 miles to exploit the riches of urban sprawl is a game that only real thrifters are willing to place their bets in. Thankfully, the Greater Lansing area is full of die-hard antique foragers and reholpsters that sacrifice the miles so you don’t have to. A true blessing for those who have sworn off secular thrift stores, and a promising sign of local entrepreneurship. The following are five of the most popular, eclectic and diverse thrift and consignment stores in the area.

REO Town Marketplace

1027 S. Washington Ave., Lansing

(517) 927-7576

Wed.-Thur. 11 a.m.-6 p.m., Fri.-Sat. 11 a.m.-7 p.m.

Vendors come and go here, offering all kinds of items from vintage clothing to in-house brews. Among the current denizens are “Thrift Witch” Tiesha King. She favors Gothic trappings like skulls and pentagrams, but also displays less terrifying baubles, such as a set of cheapo, charming Italian Leaning Tower of Pisa glasses. Christine Fronczak of Community Finery, who favors vintage clothing and jewelry, piles her shop high with shoes, gewgaws and whatnots. Neighbors include Vintage Junkies with its hippy-dippy fashion and furniture and the always classy Onyx Thrift.

Metro Retro

304 E. Grand River Ave., Lansing

Sun-Mon: noon-6p.m., Tues.-Thurs.: noon-7p.m., Fri-Sat: noon-8p.m.

(517) 220-4951

Get geared up for a rockabilly romance or cyber goth ball. This LGBTQ+ friendly boutique puts the fun in fashion while remaining inclusive of age, gender and size.

Michigan State University Surplus Store

468 Green Way, East Lansing

Mon.,Wed.,Thurs: 12:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m., Tues. Fri.: 7:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.

(517) 355 –1723

This place is stacked with brand names such as Adidas Rick Owens, Sam Edelman and Guess. The winter jackets selection comes highly recommended, as well as their computers and furniture. If you work 9 to 5 and can’t get in during its bizarre hours, the website is equipped with a comprehensive online catalog.
                 

Thriftique

1137 S. Washington Ave.

Open 12 p.m.-5 p.m. Mon.-Sat.

(517) 256-0962

Owner Atalie Buycks offers a mix of collectibles, vintage clothing, housewares and other picker fodder organized neatly by department.

Decades Vintage at Kellie’s Consignment

500 Marsh Road, Okemos

Mon-Fri. 10 a.m.-7 p.m., Sat. 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Sun. 12 a.m.-5 p.m.

(517) 574-4523

The small and mighty collection recently moved from Wooden Skate in Okemos to join the consignment headquarters. Julie Pointer is the head curator of this top-notch closet ranging from tasseled moto jackets from the '80s to fur lapels of the '20s. And this joint isn’t just for broads, well-dressed Jacks can pick up new threads as well.

Also check out:

Jean Jean Vintage

1136 S. Washington Ave., Lansing

Fri.-Sat.: 10 a.m.-6 p.m.

(517) 220-4181

Once Upon A Child

5827 W. Saginaw Hwy., Lansing

Mon.-Sat: 9 a.m.- 8 p.m.

Sun.: Noon-6 p.m.

(517) 993-5234

Aurora’s Closet Thrift

100 W. Grand River Ave., Williamston

Mon.-Wed., Fri.: Noon-5 p.m.

Sat.: Noon-6 p.m.

(517) 763-4037