Antiquing in Anchorage

Last weekend, my sister-in-law Holly and I went antiquing around Anchorage. This was my a) my first time ever to go antiquing and b) my first time to go antiquing in Anchorage.

My conclusion after a day of antiquing: I LOVE IT! I can't wait until Tony and I buy a home that we can decorate and I can find some antique furniture and decor to put in our home. Right now, living in our apartment, we can't exactly decorate or paint as I would wish since we are renting the apartment. So, I am keeping my ideas stored so that when we one day buy a home I can decorate how I would like!

Some things I found out as I was antiquing:

1) Anchorage has some amazing hole in the wall antique stores that you wouldn't believe! We went to 4 different places around town. Alaska became a U.S. State on January 3, 1959. We live in a pretty young state, but surprisingly they are some amazing antiques here- from people who have moved up here, some are imported from Europe or other places around the world, and there is also a lot of Alaskan Native art and antiques.

2) I realized about myself that my style of decorating a home is classic, old, beautiful pieces. Furniture is my favorite- I love old dressers, side tables, desks, and chairs. I also love old technology- like the spin-dial phones, record players, old radios. Old books are some of my favorites too.

3) If you are truly wanting to buy something while antiquing, you have to be able to sort out the trash from the treasure and be picky. Don't buy junk- it may look like an antique but make sure it is good quality and what you want. Don't buy something that doesn't work. A lot of antique shops only buy items that still work. One shopkeeper played her record player for me just to prove it still worked! Amazing. Ask the buyer to show you good things about the item. You might ask where it came from and how it was acquired.

4) Haggle! Most antique shops expect you to negotiate a price. Know what you are willing to pay and don't go above that. Unless it is an amazing piece, don't blow your budget. 

5) I love items with a story. It is incredible to think about where a piece of furniture has been. Whose home has been in? How did it end up here? Try to buy items that speak to you and seem to have flair and history. 

If you ever come to Anchorage, Alaska here are the stores and addresses of the shops we went to:

1) The Pack Rat Antiques (2 stories, all kinds of pieces!)

1068 West Fireweed Lane

Anchorage, AK 99503 907-522-5272

2) Ozarks Antiques (My favorite- fun, classy, funky pieces made diva!)

4131 Old Seward Highway

Anchorage, AK 99503 907-563-0900

3) Clothing By The Pound/ Thrift Store (Be willing to look through some junk here. Seriously.)

7337 Old Seward Highway 

Anchorage, AK 99518 

 **Only takes cash and check**

4) Duane's Antique Market (Very pricey, imported pieces)

1233 E. 76th Ave

Anchorage, AK 99518 907-349-7078

Here's a glimpse of our day:

Sometimes, you have to look through some junk to find treasures :)

I hope you are inspired to find some hole in the wall antique places in your town- it is worth spending a day just looking around and finding pieces that speak to you. :)

Good luck!

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