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Take a trip to the past at one of these NC antique shops

Antique stores are a treasure trove of history and culture. They are filled with artifacts from all over the world, each with its own unique story to tell.

Posted 2023-08-04T01:25:18+00:00 - Updated 2023-08-06T12:00:00+00:00

The Piccadilly Circus, a popular antique shop in Fayetteville, offers a wide variety of hidden treasures and collectibles worldwide.

Jelia Hepner

, WRAL multiplatform producer

Antique stores are a treasure trove of history and culture. Known as a cultural melting pot, these unique stores are brimming with artifacts from all over the world, each with its own unique story to tell. From ancient Chinese pottery to vintage American furniture, there is something for everyone in an antique store.

The Piccadilly Circus, a popular antique shop in Fayetteville, offers a wide variety of hidden treasures and collectibles worldwide. From handcrafted furniture to knickknacks, house decor, jewelry and vintage glasses, there are a variety of items to explore.

Owner Sherri Coultrip, a military spouse, has traveled around the world and obtained items that have an aesthetic, historical or collectible nature and value to her customers.

Antique stores are a treasure trove of history and culture.

"I love treasure hunting and I traveled all over the world, including all 50 states picking up items," Coultrip said. "I ended up having so many items that I decided to open a store."

The Piccadilly Circus at 2828 Raeford Road is a worldwide treasure trove of high-end antiques. With items such as Murano glass from Italy, Daum glass from France, pottery from Mexico, and Huarger pottery, this shop will surely fill your heart with joy.

Coultrip says many people come into the store looking for items dating back to the 1960s and 1950s.

"It's not just a shop but an experience," said Coultrip. "This is not pop-in and out of the shop; I really want people to take their time and enjoy exploring the items."

While Fayetteville is known for its unique antique shops, Raleigh is also home to several great antique stores, making it a great destination for antique lovers in North Carolina.

Antique shops to visit in Raleigh, Cary

Pigfish Lane Antiques and Interiors is a multi-dealer antique store in Raleigh. This 25,000-square-foot historic building on Hillsborough Street features various antiques and collectibles, including furniture, jewelry, art, and home decor.

"It was first Wayside furniture; we took it over this space about five years ago," says co-owner Lynne Knowles. "We made it antiques and furniture so that we can show people they can mix things together."

Knowles had been dealing with antiques for about 25 years, says her and her husband, owner Robert, love meeting new people and the shop has 50 dealers, each of whom curates their booths according to their specialties and tastes.

"We have dealers from retired military to lawyers who have a space here to be creative," Knowles said. "You see their individual style in each area of the store."

Robert added that antique shops are essential to the community and have ties to Hollywood, as evidenced by their appearance in the Mel Gibson film "The Patriot."

"In the movie, the home he lived in, many of the items in the home were rented from an antique shop called Boone's," said Robert. "But many businesses from all over come to get items from here."

Pigfish Lane Antiques and Interiors is a multi-dealer antique store in Raleigh.

In addition to the dealers' booths, Pigfish Lane also has an in-house custom frame shop. Whether you've found a piece of art or a mirror that you love but needs framing, the Pigfish Lane team can help you find the perfect frame to enhance your décor.

"When it comes to antique shopping, its like treasure hunting because most of this old stuff will gain in value, not lose it," Robert said. "We don't have 10 of the same thing. If you see something you like that's it. That's what makes it unique and different from a regular store."

Many antique stores have knowledgeable staff who can tell you about the history of the items they sell. This can be a great way to learn about the past and connect with your community's history.

For example, New Bern is home to several antique stores specializing in Civil War artifacts. These stores offer a unique opportunity to learn about the history of the Civil War and the role that New Bern played in the conflict.

Vintage Vogue, located in Cary, is all too familiar with history, having a shop that is a family-owned and operated business that has been in operation for over 20 years.

Vintage Vogue is known for its wide selection of unique and hard-to-find items. The store has a large clothing inventory from the 1920s to the 1980s and a wide variety of jewelry, home decor, and accessories.

Teresa was born in South America but lived in New York for many years says the antique shop bridges the gap between generations and cultures.

"I have so many young customers that love shopping here," Teresa said. "A lot of young people love my jewelry and bags."

The store has a large clothing inventory from the 1920s to the 1980s and a wide variety of jewelry, home decor, and accessories.

Teresa asserts that antiquing is not a dying trend but a popular first choice for shoppers seeking one-of-a-kind items.

With her passion and love for the shop, Teresa travels to New York monthly to seek out new items.

Vintage Vogue is located in Ashworth Village in downtown Cary at 115-E West Chatham St.

The history of antique stores can be traced back to the 17th century when wealthy Europeans began collecting antiques to show their wealth and status. These early antique collectors often traveled to other countries to find rare and valuable items.

For all these reasons, antique stores are important to many North Carolina communities. They offer a unique shopping experience, provide a place to learn about history, and can even boost the local economy. Check out your local antique store if you're looking for a new place to explore.