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Road Trip: Downtown Olympia
Experience a weekend in historic Olympia, WA, a city packed with vintage finds
This article originally appeared in the November 2014 issue of Seattle magazine.
Where: Downtown Olympia. Why: To experience the thrill of the hunt at the city’s vintage and antique store circuit. What: Twenty-five eclectic shops, most of them located within walking distance of each other, offer everything from sassy vintage cocktail dresses to decorative knickknacks and historical collectors’ items. Begin at Courtyard Antiques (705 Fourth Ave. E; 360.352.3864), where owner Mary Corso presides over more than 70 vendors selling a vibrant mix of flannel wall pennants, birdcages, drawer knobs, early-19th-century typewriters, hard-to-find glass apothecary bottles, rustic shutter shades, loads of furniture and more dig-worthy scores. Grab a map of neighboring shops and ask Corso to point out best bets for home decor, furniture, clothing and other thrifty finds. Antiques Olympia (203 Fourth Ave. W; 360.786.9234) boasts a superb array of one-of-a-kind Native American gathering baskets, dating as far back as the late-1800s, while Psychic Sister (109 SE Fifth Ave.; 360.943.9595) promises an impeccably organized collection of vintage clothing and accessories, including jewel-toned glasses frames and Mad Men–style luggage. While you’re there: Try a not-too-sweet mocha from Olympia Coffee Roasting Co. (108 Cherry St. NE; 360.753.0066)— you’ll need it to stay alert for treasure hunting.
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