dead peoples stuff for sale in DC?

February 7, 2009 4:19 PM

Antiques in DC -- where? Walking distance from Metro stations, please.

Although I'm a DC native, I have no idea, really, beyond Adams-Morgan or Old Town Alexandria, and my information's out-of-date. Silver Spring, maybe? An international friend is going to the capital next month, and she wants to know where the antique shops are.

posted by Rash to shopping (11 comments total)

There are a lot in Georgetown, on M Street and Wisconsin Avenue. I guess depending on your definition of "walking distance," Georgetown might not work- but there's always the Circulator.

Here is a link to a google map that shows some shops; there are definitely more, though. Happy shopping!
posted by charmcityblues at 4:31 PM on February 7

Here's a list of flea markets, though expect to pay more the closer to the city's epicenter you get. The one exception that comes to mind is the Mansion on O Street, which hosts a yearly rummage sale around September/October with very reasonable prices. Also, the place is like the Clue Mansion with secret passageways everywhere. I saw one of the Doobie Brothers there a couple years back, but I forget which one. If you can't wait until the Fall, keep tabs on craigslist and this page for estate/garage sales. They might not be the most metro-accessible, but there's bound to be bus service to the viscinity.
posted by The White Hat at 5:01 PM on February 7

There are usually antiques at the Eastern Market flea market area on Saturdays and Sundays. More non-antique stuff, but some antiques.
posted by MrMoonPie at 5:59 PM on February 7

There is a really great place that sells mainly working rotary dial telephones, working manual typewriters and great fabrics at 8th and Upshur Streets NW.
posted by parmanparman at 6:03 PM on February 7

I'm guessing that since you mentioned Adams Morgan, you know about the Brass Knob?

Antique Row in Kensington is basically straight up Connecticut Avenue, about 2 miles north of the beltway.

Also, there's at least one , and I think another antique store on the corner of Monroe and Mount Vernon Avenues in Del Ray, Alexandria.

None of these, sadly, are close to the Metro (for reasonable values of close).
posted by god hates math at 6:16 PM on February 7

Another vote for Eastern Market. Has its own Metro stop as well.
posted by bardic at 8:56 PM on February 7

2nding MrMoonPie. Just today I found a guy selling antique maps and got one of North Africa with the locations printed in Latin(!) And Eastern Market is Metro-adjacent.
posted by cowbellemoo at 8:57 PM on February 7

Well.. they do tend to be overpriced.. but.. King Street in Old Town Alexandria. Tons of antique stores. Also check out the Prevention of Blindness thrift store on King St, on the block just before Misha's coffee house (btw - worth a visit - really delicious coffee.)

If you want to drive, try Manassas, there are quite a few larger ones out there.
posted by citron at 11:33 AM on February 8

Apologies, of course I didn't read and see you mentioned Old Town. I still recommend to try Manassas if you don't mind driving, there are some pretty big stores out there..

IMHO the ones at Eastern Market are especially overpriced.

On 14th St NW just a block or two south of U St, there is a giant, overcrowded, dusty, crazy antiques and furniture shop, basically an old rowhouse stuffed to the gills including out on the back patio and in the basement. I can't remember what it's called. It's on the right side of the street if you're walking south from 14th and U. It's only open on the weekends I believe. There's usually a few pieces of furniture sitting outside. Worth a visit. But, I am not kidding about the ridiculously overstuffed + dust, it's not a pristine well-arranged store by any means, the advantage is, you can find a lot of interesting stuff and get very good deals (try to bargain down, the asking price typically isn't really the price). They told me the best things go quickly right when the store opens, who knows, of course they were trying to sell me stuff.. but definitely check it out.
posted by citron at 11:39 AM on February 8

On the less-expensive side, there's a nice church opportunity shop south of Bethesda metro. Also, up Wisconsin Avenue near P Street is the Christ Child opportunity shop which has a nice selection of items, no clothes at all, just antiques and jewelry. Not sure if your friend is a real collector though, I tend to go for 'weird and interesting' over 'highly rare and authentic' and have more patience than the average person for trawling through lots of stuff in search of a real gem.
posted by citron at 11:45 AM on February 8

The shop citron is referencing is called Ruff & Ready Furnishings. It doesn't have a website, but here is a write-up by Prince of Petworth.
posted by General Malaise at 11:45 AM on February 11