Happy Hunting ~ Antique Alley

I haven’t done one of these posts in what seems like forever, I love to scour little and big antique stores, they inspire me. The next place in this “happy hunting” series is in the city I live in… so it’s really just a hop skip and a jump for me to get to, unlike the other places I tend to write about this one is actually accessible to me. 😀 Makes me happy.

Confession time, I’ve been a bad blogger… all of the photos you are about to see were taken in the winter! What!? Yes, I am hanging my head in shame.  Life happens and things have been very busy, BUT, hanging onto a good thing and introducing it to my readers now is not necessarily bad, it is summer (almost) and really the tourism and visitors to Kingston is just starting up in a big way. So, ya I planned it like this, that’s my story and I’m sticking to it. 😉

Antique Alley is located in downtown Kingston, Ontario, Canada. Their slogan is, “Kingston’s best kept secret.” I can see why they chose that slogan… the store with over 4000 square feet and a multitude of vendors is hidden… down an alley. On approach it does NOT reflect what you will find in there. Not even close, I remember stumbling onto it, I looked at their sidewalk sign and looked down the alley, should I go in? Of course I would, for those of you that know me at all, know I love digging around in tiny obscure places, you just never know what you will find. And in the very best places you will find not only antiques, vintage treasures or that elusive item you’ve been searching for… in the very best places you will find kindred spirits with personality galore and Antique Alley does not disappoint.

The approach did not equal the entry, huge and filled with quality, one of a kind vintage and antique goodies, right at the moment I entered I was thinking… jackpot! My first visit there I killed my phone battery taking pictures, soooo much, too much for my little phone to handle. Okay, enough blabbing. 😉 This is my second trip with my camera… hope you enjoy.

So many treasures… I spy with my little eye… wow, those vintage trophies, want!

“Kate’s Vintage Kloset” is full of fun one of a kind items, things you just can’t find everyday, lots of pretty things to try on in the fitting rooms.

This serious lady was probably from a very rich family…  daguerreotype photography was an early technique to capture direct positive images on a silver-coated copper. At this point in time it was typically the higher classthat could afford this. The colour you see in her cheeks is hand painted on… I was told that it is rare to see one of these in such pristine condition.

Vintage signs everywhere… I was ooo-ing and ahhh-ing all over the place.  I go into a lot of antique stores, regardless of how many I have been in I still find it really hard to be “cool”, my excitement takes over, every. single. time.  I guess I just gotta learn to go with the flow and be me. 😉

I think I have to go back for a day, just for this section… impressive!

This little treasure is so beautiful! A child’s vintage ride-in plane, I’m sure this could tell some stories, I just loved it! Do you think our 24 year old “baby” would like it? 😉

What a beautiful ornate cash register, the digital ones today don’t even come close to this in craftsmanship.

I adore old tins, no shortage at Antique Alley.

Display cases… filled with medals, pocket watches, so many antique and vintage collectibles.

I could spend hours and hours exploring…

Pocket watches… just wonderful!

They don’t make coffee grinders like they used to.

Swoon, that butcher block is ahhhh-mazing!

Beautiful lighting.

One of my favourite things I saw on my visit, this little white radio… I didn’t buy it, maybe it’s still there?

The whole 4000 square feet is full of phenomenal finds… if you are ever in the Kingston, Ontario area you must go! If you can’t get to Kingston, you can follow them on Facebook, visit them virtually. I had a wonderful few hours there and am really looking forward to going back this summer to see all of the new pieces. Thanks for exploring with me… until next time.