Some fifteen plus years ago Locke Street was a bit of an antique destination. A good spattering of antique shops had set up on Locke selling old trunks, Victorian china, sideboards, dressers and other collectibles and trinkets. As rents started to increase and the turnover on the storefronts began to switch-up to high-end boutiques and restaurants, the antique shops headed east to Ottawa Street (the former textile and garment area) of the city.
There’s just a remnant of those fabric and upholstery shops that remain on Ottawa street now. That is however where you’ll find plenty of antique shops and gems like Antique Avenue (for mid-century furnishings and beyond) and Ottawa Street’s newest mega-antique shop destination – The Hamilton Antique Mall.
The Hamilton Antique Mall is in the old giant wallpaper store aka The Big Big Wallpaper Store. The wallpaper store was an amazing destination in and of itself. In that magic wallpaper warehouse you could check-out all the late 80’s and 90’s kitschy dark forest green and maroon Victorian décor revival in prints of hunting dogs, chickens roosting in nests, and baseball bat and ball borders. The old wallpaper store had it all; the bargain basement stocks of old rolls and newer more contemporary patterns on the main floor. Just last spring it closed its doors for good when the owners of the wallpaper shop retired. However, the owners of the building itself took this as an opportunity to open up a three-level antique mall, and it is awesome!
The space is the largest indoor antique mall in Hamilton (especially now that its neighbouring antique mall in the old AVON building is no longer open). It boasts three floors of vintage antique paraphernalia spanning over 34 000 square feet.
There is a variety of antiques from turn-of-the-century, to mid-century, rugs, vintage clothing and shoes, chandeliers, old salvaged wood, industrial metal signs and lighting.
Head to the Antique Mall to find some unique furnishings. It’s a perfect destination to wander around on a cold and rainy day, or on an explore the city kind of day. For sure, it is no Mr. Used but it is expansive, eclectic and just so cool that you don’t have to travel out of the city to hit this antique mecca on Ottawa Street.
Hours:
Monday – Friday 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Saturday – Sunday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Hamilton Antique Mall
233 Ottawa Street North
905-547-7000
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*feature image @old4now booth #21G&H
