Antiques/thrifts off I-95 near Philly?

August 16, 2007 7:11 AM

DC to Philly road trip - Any recommendations for neat antique or thrift stores along the way (ie, not far off I-95)?

I am planning to drive basically a straight shot up there on 95, and have to pick up an item at 2, so I prefer not to veer too far off an exit.

I'm looking for unique furniture, vintage clothes, maybe a cool lamp.. Just basically any place you might find something neat at a cheap price.

posted by citron to travel & transportation (7 comments total)

Not sure how far off the path this is for you, but New Hope is super quaint and cute. The main stretch has many restaurants and small stores.
posted by modernsquid at 7:18 AM on August 16, 2007

Never been there, but North East MD looks like it should fit the bill.
posted by MtDewd at 7:39 AM on August 16, 2007

I've done several thrift shopping road trips, and have found TheThriftShopper.com to be a great resource for planning and mapping what stores are in any particular area. I highly recommend it.
posted by ScottUltra at 7:43 AM on August 16, 2007

There are a couple of antique/thrifty shops on Main St. in Newark, DE with the added bonus that if you get into Newark via 279N and out via 273E you skip the toll near Rt 896!

From east to west (Main St is one-way) there's Old Tyme Antiques, Dragonflies something-or-other, in the Newark Shopping Center is a Goodwill and then Bloom and Grassroots (neither of the last two are especially cheap, but have some cool things).

Good luck!
posted by chrisubus at 8:22 AM on August 16, 2007

There's Spenceola Antique Mall on the north side of Bel Air, MD - about 9 miles from I-95. Exit at Rt 24, merge onto Rte 1 N, take the Rock Spring N exit - the mall can be seen from Rt 1 on your left before you turn.

Stay on Rte 1 & cross the Susquehanna over the Conowingo Dam, turn RIGHT onto 222 and follow it through Port Deposit & up the hill back to I-95 (missing the $5 bridge toll). There are a few scattered junk & consignment shops on the way up. CW Tugs and the Portside Grill are the best bets for lunch (Tugs looks like a dive but don't let it put you out. The bread pudding is highly recommended)

As in interesting side note, you will pass by the Union Hotel circa 1790 via this route. They have an ambitious menu.

Alternately, get off at the Havre de Grace exit, drive down the hill into town. There are 10 or 20 small shops in "downtown" Havre De Grace. they have a website but not every shop is listed here.
The Laurrapin, MacGregor's or the Tidewater are good lunch spots.

Chesapeake City is more off the beaten path but it's really quaint and has quite a few shops. The Chesapeake Inn serves a great lunch.
posted by jaimystery at 8:59 AM on August 16, 2007

Well, chadd's ford PA (on RT-1 which parallels 95 (for the most part)), has wineries/antiquing.

Chadds Ford antiques

I'm not an antiques person, but I seem to recall that area (like new hope) is popular for such.
posted by filmgeek at 9:20 AM on August 16, 2007

Do you like midcentury modern (Teak, Danish Modern, Heywood Wakefield, Knoll, etc.)? Home Anthology is a great place to find great deals on excellent furniture. Bring a truck, and come on a weekend (they're not open during the week). Exit 14 off the Baltimore Beltway in Catonsville.

Also try Ellicott City (further down Frederick Road) in the historic section. There used to be a little more in the way of antiques but there are still a few good stores to be found.
posted by idiotking at 12:47 PM on August 16, 2007