Secondhand shopping is having a moment. Let’s be honest: things are expensive right now. And not to mention, our planet is starting to feel it after years of overconsumption. Whether thrifting at the local Goodwill or Savers, searching for vintage clothing, or filling your shelves with previously loved books from a used bookstore, buying used is in! My favorite way to shop secondhand–aside from clothes and books–is going antiquing. The items are a delightful mix of fascinating and bizarre, so I can curate home décor that feels uniquely me. Plus, not only can it be cheaper than buying new, but it’s a whole lot of fun to do too.
With plenty of history under its belt, the Rochester area is the perfect place to go searching for vintage finds and antique treasures. Fun fact: antiques are anything 100 years or older, while a vintage item falls between 20 and 99 years old. So, that Wisconsin Badgers sweatshirt I bought during my freshman year of college in 2004? It’s vintage. Sigh. Ready to curate your own collection of items from decades or even centuries past? Keep reading for the best antique stores in and around Rochester, MN. New to antique shopping? Stick around until the end for some tips and tricks to get you started.
Where to Go Antique Shopping in Rochester, MN
As our city is on the smaller side, there aren’t too many antique stores in Rochester, MN. These shops however do have a lot to offer, with something a little different each place you go.
John Kruesel’s General Merchandise
Nestled right in the heart of downtown Rochester, John Kruesel’s General Merchandise is well worth a visit after a meal at ThaiPop or The Tap House or as a pick-me-up after an appointment at the Mayo Clinic. Don’t let its small size fool you. This petite antique store is positively jam-packed with old-fashioned treasures, offering an illuminating shopping experience—and I mean that literally. Vintage lighting is a specialty here, with fixtures of all sorts hanging from the ceiling. Other items include jewelry, historical documents, art, clothing, photos and more.
Address: 22 3rd St SW, Rochester, MN 55902
Old River Valley Antique Mall
Located just a short drive away in neighboring Stewartville’s downtown area, Old River Valley Antique Mall is my favorite place to go antiquing in the Rochester area. Housed in an old lumber yard, this massive antique mall spans 9,000 square feet and features several different rooms and over 40 vendors. I was so caught off guard by its size that I actually said “Whoa!” after opening the door to find a long hallway filled with even more booths. There is a lot to see here, from vintage clothes and toys to holiday decorations and signage, and that’s only scratching the surface. Prices are very reasonable overall, and the couple who man the desk is also very friendly and happy to help you carry things out to your car if you get too much to handle on your own (guilty as charged).
Address: 204 S Main St, Stewartville, MN 55976
Old Rooster Antique Mall
Looking for the perfect way to unplug for a bit? I recommend having a baked pancake at Hollandberry Pannekoeken and then making the quick two-minute walk down the block to Old Rooster Antique Mall. This two-story shop is in the Goldilocks zone when it comes to Rochester, MN, antique stores. Bigger than nearby John Kruesel’s General Merchandise but smaller than Stewartville’s Old River Valley Antique Mall, it is just right for those looking to escape the modern world for a while. That said, prices can be higher than what you’ll find at Old River Valley. Upstairs, you’ll find a collection of booths selling a wide variety of items, particularly a lot of glassware, while the downstairs could be mistaken for a vintage furniture store. Parking is available off the main road in the back.
Address: 106 N Broadway Ave, Rochester, MN 55906
Other Rochester Area Antique Stores That Are Worth a Trip
Want to see what other sorts of treasures from the past the region has to offer? These antique stores near Rochester, MN, are worth the hour-or-less drive to get there—and this is only scratching the surface. There are loads of other antiquing opportunities just an easy jaunt from Rochester, from small-town shops to sprawling, multi-floor antique malls. You could even spend several days in the Twin Cities bopping around from place to place.
Country Side Antique Mall | Cannon Falls, MN
Once a truck stop frequented by cattle haulers and freight drivers, today, Country Side Antique Mall is home to booths from more than 50 dealers spread across two floors and 7,000 square feet. With such a vast space, there is a wide selection of items to choose from, including especially large collections of cast iron, glassware and furniture. Parking is also abundant. Prices range from reasonable to out-of-touch.
Address: 1161 4th St S, Cannon Falls, MN 55009
The Antique Center of La Crosse | La Crosse, WI
If you only make the drive to one antique mall outside Rochester, let it be The Antique Center of La Crosse. This sprawling antique mall, which has taken up residence in a century-old former furniture store, is as much of a treasure as the items it houses, with statuesque Corinthian columns and a black walnut staircase dotted throughout. If you’re looking for something in particular, there’s a good chance you’ll find it in one of the 75 booths that span the building’s three floors and 20,000 square feet. For the most part, prices tend to be very competitive, although there are some outliers. Bags and a checkout desk are provided on each level to make shopping and finalizing your purchase on the main floor a breeze. Plus, with a convenient location in the city’s historic downtown, you’re just an easy walk or drive from restaurants, other shops and Riverside Park.
Address: 110 3rd St S, La Crosse, WI 54601
Treasures Under Sugar Loaf | Winona, MN
Already driving across the river to check out the antique mall in La Crosse, WI? Make a day out of it by paying a visit to Treasures Under Sugar Loaf in Winona. Previously the home of Bub’s Brewery, this spacious three-story antique mall in the shadow of Sugar Loaf Bluff is worthy of a visit. With booths from more than 60 vintage and antique dealers, as well as displays by local makers, you’ll find an ample array of items from yesteryear, yesterday, and today. Sales are often offered with participation from many dealers and vendors, so plan your trip strategically to give your wallet a chance at savings. Just be sure to set aside plenty of time to look around.
Address: 1023 Sugar Loaf Rd, Winona, MN 55987
Antiquing 101: Tips & Tricks for Treasure Hunting
One of my favorite things to do when I start feeling overwhelmed is to go antiquing. It makes sense, really—escaping the stresses of modern life by wandering through the remnants of a simpler time. Sure, most antique stores are chaotic, to say the least, with so many things packed on each shelf that you don’t know where to focus. But there’s something particularly soothing about strolling past tiny makeshift rooms overflowing with nostalgic knick-knacks. Even though it’s a lot to look at, it somehow feels more reassuring than doom-scrolling the news or social media.
Antiquing doesn’t just mellow me out; it sparks my creativity and imagination, too. Not only does every item have a story, likely lost to the past, but it’s fun to track down unique items that fit my design aesthetic and can’t be found at Target or with an Amazon search. The thrill of searching for the perfect piece to take home or stumbling on something I never knew I needed is intoxicating. It’s like a treasure hunt. Only instead of a shovel and a map, all you need is some patience, a keen eye, a good sense of your personal style, and a comfy pair of shoes. And bonus! Those dusty treasures are often (but not always) better made and more affordable—and always more interesting—than what you’d buy from a big-box store.
A word of warning, however: With so many neat things at such good (or, conversely, outrageously high) prices around you, it can be pretty easy to get swept up in the hunt. So, there are a few things that you’ll want to keep in mind when on the prowl for your next vintage find, lest your home ends up looking like an estate sale exploded or your wallet winds up unnecessarily light.
Have an Idea About the Kinds of Items You Like First
If you’ve never set foot or spent much time in an antique store before, it can be a lot to take in. While some stores are carefully curated, others are so stuffed to the gills that it can be overwhelming. And while variety and choices are nice, this is one instance when you can have too much of a good thing, especially if you don’t really know what you’re looking for.
This was one of the first things that got me into trouble when I first started antiquing. I was like Dug, the dog in the movie Up—only instead of getting distracted by squirrels, I was dazzled by all things colorful and shiny. So much so that I wound up with a bunch of stuff that looked nice on its own but didn’t really go together or with the rest of my décor. Now, I limit myself to items in a few specific categories (globes, pull-down maps, vintage suitcases with or without the stickers on the sides, and old-fashioned cameras are a few of my weaknesses) or that match what I already have on my walls and shelves. This keeps my attention focused and my budget on track.
Educate Yourself
To give yourself a leg up while you shop, consider putting in a little research beforehand. If you’re on the hunt for something in particular, look up distinguishing details, popular designers and producers of the period, and other characteristics to help you keep an eye out for quality pieces. Then, once something piques your interest, pull out your phone and give it a scan using Google Lens to try to find out more information, like who might have made it, how much others are asking for something similar and if the asking price is on point.
Keep Your Eyes Open and Your Head on a Swivel
Items are stashed everywhere in most antique stores, with layers on top of layers and often very little rhyme or reason. So, take your time as you walk around so that you don’t miss too much. Look up on the top of shelves, get down low to see what could be hiding underneath a table, step fully into a booth so you can check out everything in the corner, and move items aside to get a better view.
Then, when something catches your eye, give it a good look-over to assess its condition. Remember, these items can be decades or even centuries old, so there is bound to be some wear and tear. That’s part of their charm, after all! However, the extent of the damage can affect how you display or use the object (or not) or help you assess whether the asking price is fair.
Shop Around
Don’t just commit to the very first thing you see. If you’re at an antique mall with lots of different vendors, then there’s a good chance you might see the same item again, only at a cheaper price or in a better condition, under the same roof. So, you’re better off taking a lap around everything first, making note of anything that catches your attention, and then returning to what you want to take home after you’ve scoped out all your options.
The same thing goes for different antique stores. If there are a few different places in an area, I like to go to all of them to compare and contrast what’s available. And don’t skip over the impeccably curated, aesthetically pleasing and typically overpriced stores just because they’re expensive. Although the items might cost more, these pricey shops are good places to go for inspiration. Then, once you know what appeals to you, head to one of those messy, chaotic and overstuffed antique malls instead to search for similar items at a nicer price.
Think Creatively About How You Can Put an Item to Use
Not everything has to be used for its originally intended purpose. If you love how something looks but aren’t quite sure what to do with it, a little creativity can go a long way. For example, as much as I love old suitcases, I would never pack one full of my things and actually take it on a trip. Instead, I like to use them to store items like spare blankets, paperwork that I don’t require immediate access to but need to keep, and out-of-season décor. Then, I stack them on top of one another to create a character-filled accent table.
A vintage quilt or pull-down map can be great wall art, while a wooden shoe form can be a quirky way to add some texture to a styled bookcase. As for the actual books, don’t make the obvious choice by sticking them on the shelf alongside the rest of them. Instead, turn each title into a makeshift platform by placing them beneath lamps, bowls or anything else that could use a boost to give them more height and visual impact. And for anything else you don’t know what to do with, there’s a very good chance that it could be made into a lamp with an affordable wiring kit and just a little time.
Try to Negotiate If the Price Seems Unreasonable
Is something on your mind but a little out of your price range? Consider making an offer for a lower amount. While some dealers will post signs saying that their prices are firm, others will be open to negotiation, especially if you offer to pay in cash. Before you make your pitch, first think about the maximum amount that you are willing to spend, the asking prices for similar items and the item’s condition. In other words, is it basically good to go as-is, or will it need some repairs? Then, once you’ve assessed the situation, share your proposal with the staff member on hand. Just remember to be fair and respectful, and keep in mind that this is a small business you’re supporting. Finally, stand by your offer once you’ve thrown it out there—don’t walk it back if it’s been accepted.
What is your favorite spot to go antiquing in and around Rochester? Leave a comment below!
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