Browsing for vintage items? Here’s a guide to Columbia’s antique stores
Whether you’re looking for a tasteful mid-century coffee table for your new apartment or a quirky mug for your office’s holiday gift exchange, look no further than your local antique store.
Columbia is ripe with places to browse for a new trinket or vintage print. If you’re looking to hit the most antique stores on foot, look no further than Meeting and State Street in West Columbia. Add your name to the list at one of the city’s many brunch options or grab a coffee to go from Brickhouse Coffee and you’ve got at least four antique stores and one used bookstore, Ed’s Editions, all within a 15-minute walk.
But there are plenty of antique stores worth a drive in and around Columbia. This list isn’t comprehensive, but we did our best to include a wide range from around the area. Think we missed any? Let us know in the comments.
ReFind
718 S. Edisto Ave., Columbia
The booths at ReFind, a popular antique store in the Rosewood area, are aesthetic and curated while still being approachable. Oftentimes, antique stores fit into one of two categories: lots of stuff without much direction or lots of direction but expensive stuff. Both have their place, but I always have to decide what mood I’m in.
“Do I want to sift for treasure or do I just want to browse leisurely?”
ReFind hits that sweet spot of offering smaller, affordable items alongside carefully curated nicer pieces. It’s open seven days a week. Pro tip: It’s a 15-minute walk to Hunter Gatherer Brewery. Stop by for a beer or wood-fire pizza after shopping.
Three Rivers Antiques
615 Meeting St., West Columbia
“It’s bigger than it looks,” the sign outside Three Rivers Antiques posits. The West Columbia antique store is, indeed, bigger than it might appear from the outside. It’s easily laid-out and its book selection is surprisingly impressive (there’s a great selection of books along the back wall). The prices are fair and there’s plenty of variety. It’s open seven days a week, until 5:30 p.m. every day except Sunday.
The Red Lion Antiques & Interiors
1929 Hampton St., Columbia
This massive space near Five Points has a lot from which to pick. It’s a large warehouse that’s easy to get lost in. Be prepared in the summer, as this location doesn’t have air-conditioning, but typically relies on large fans and open windows. Because of its size and sea of inventory, it’s best to visit if you’re in the mood to dig. It’s open seven days a week.
Ivy House
10511 Two Notch Rd., Columbia and 4211 Augusta Rd., Lexington, SC
With two locations in the Midlands, Ivy House has more than 70 vendors. Most of the items lean more rustic-chic and slightly modern, but there are plenty antique store hallmarks to be found like ornate dishware and unique lamps. The store also features a selection of artwork from locals. Both locations are open seven days a week until 6 p.m.
Old Mill Antique Mall
310 State St. A, West Columbia
This West Columbia stalwart has been the perfect browsing spot for those waiting to be seated for brunch at next-door Cafe Strudel for decades. With two stories jam-packed with stuff, be prepared to stay a while. Though slightly disorganized in some ways, it’s chock-full of great finds and the prices are incredibly fair. There’s no air conditioning, so it can get quite toasty in the summer months. It’s open seven days a week until 5:30 p.m.
Feathered Nest
2006 State St., Cayce
This cozy downtown Cayce shop opened earlier this year and has a variety of antique finds and curated home goods. It’s a smaller spot, but that means it’s good for a quick pop-in or browse. It’s got beautiful clocks and plenty of framed prints to pick from. It is open Tuesday through Saturday. Piecewise Coffee is right across the street, so grab a cup to carry with you while you browse or head by after.
Little Mountain Unlimited
1528 Main St., Little Mountain
Little Mountain Unlimited is a bit of a hike up Interstate 26 from Columbia, just past Chapin. But the massive 25,000 square-foot space has over 150 booths. As far as large antique malls go, it’s a little more curated and full of great finds. There’s even an in-house cafe that operates from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. every day. The antique store is open seven days a week until 6 p.m.
Estate sale companies
If you’ve got time to kill on a weekend morning, estate sales are also a great place to find antiques around the Columbia area. I keep an eye on the listings of both Blue Moon Estate Sales and Carolina Estate of Mind.
