Where to Shop for Antiques in the Guelph, Cambridge, & Kitchener-Waterloo Region
In my last post I talked about why to add antiques and vintage items to your home and in the post before that I talked about the best vintage accessories to look for at your local thrift store. I thought this week I’d share some of my favourite spots to shop for antiques near Southwestern Ontario’s Guelph, Kitchener-Waterloo and Cambridge areas. This is not an exhaustive list but will hopefully give you some ideas of a few new places to explore for treasures for your home. If you don’t live locally (or just prefer to shop from home!) stay tuned for a future post on my favourite spots to source antique items online. But on to the recommendations!
1. Aberfoyle Antique Market (57 Brock Road S., Puslinch ON), $5 admission fee
Canada’s largest outdoor market, this is one of my very favorite ways to spend a sunny Sunday morning. This market runs seasonally from May to the end of October and is open all day on Sundays plus the occasional Saturday for special shows. Over 100 vendors are there each week, which gives you a chance to ask questions about their wares- I’ve learned so much about antique and vintage items from chatting with these vendors over the years! Arrive early in the day for the best selection, and be sure to refuel with an iced coffee on the market’s central patio.
2. Southworks Antiques (73 Water Street N., Cambridge ON)
Located in beautiful downtown Cambridge (many of the Gilead scenes from the Handmaid’s Tale were filmed just steps away BTW!), Southworks Antiques is another of my favourite local antique spots. It’s nice and large without being completely overwhelming, and the individual vendor booths are well-lit and organized. This antique market feels a bit more upscale than others I’ve been to (meaning it doesn’t have that flea market feel that some places do), and the prices are reasonable but not bargain-basement. Beware of a slightly confusing layout, and be sure to stop by their vintage candy shop that will remind you of your childhood!
3. The Timeless Material Company (305 Northfield Drive E., Waterloo ON)
While not technically an antique shop, I highly recommend making a stop at Timeless! Their massive 4-story barn-turned-showroom is located in North Waterloo and is packed with architectural salvage pieces from local properties (think wall and floor grates, window and door hardware, lighting, plumbing fixtures, and more) as well as reclaimed wood products that can be used in projects like shiplap, flooring, beams, custom furniture and more. Be sure to check out Linen & Lore (a boutique home decor shop that also carries some vintage items) and Camellia Bake Shop (for a warm drink and a snack) both located on the Timeless property.
4. St. Jacob’s Antique Market (805 King Street N., St. Jacob’s ON)
Next door to the famous St.Jacob’s Farmers Market, this antique market is one of my favourites. Lots of high-quality antiques that are beautifully curated and displayed- I always leave this market with a few treasures. In the summer, stop by the french fry truck in the parking lot for the best kind of post-shopping snack.
Image Source: Norris & Co
5. One-Of-A-Kind Antique Mall (97 Wilson Street, Woodstock ON)
On their website they claim to be Canada’s largest antique and collectibles market and I can believe it- this place is enormous. There are over 600 vendor booths housed in this 3-story sprawling warehouse. While there are lots of antique and vintage items, there are also lots of collectibles-type booths packed with toys, book, and records from the 70s, 80s, and 90s (read: not exactly what I’m looking for, but I find the men in my life are happy to browse through this stuff while I’m hunting for the true antiques!). Plan to spend at least 3 hours to make it through the entire warehouse; bonus points for the friendly staff, and the booth of beautiful vintage prints near the entrance on the first floor.
I hope this list has given you an idea or two for your next antiquing trip! Do you have a favourite local antique shop that I didn’t mention? Tell me in the comments below!