Before shopping for antiques in New York City, it’s important to do research. There are hundreds of antique shops in and around the city, and many of them have inventory that’s not always up to date or accurate.
*You can find information about specific antique dealers and their inventory on sites like eBay and Etsy. These sites have reviews from previous buyers, so you can get a sense of what kind of products you should expect to find at a particular location.
First timers
If you’re a first-time antique shopper, there are a few things you need to know.
First, shopping for antiques in New York City is a unique experience. It’s unlike any other city in the world, so don’t expect it to be like any other city in the world. And that’s a good thing! It means there are tons of great places to buy antiques and lots of different types of shoppers. There are also plenty of tricks in order to get the best deals on your favorite pieces.
If you’re looking for a place to start, here are some tips:
- Check out some local museums or historical sites. They often have great vintage pieces and local artists’ work available for sale right on site. If you’re lucky, they might even have special events where you can meet with artists or designers and ask questions about their work!
- Find out what’s happening in the city on any given day and go investigate! You never know when something amazing is going on—and if not, it’ll still give you an excuse to take a break from your search, so you don’t get overwhelmed by everything there is out there waiting for you (and then end up buying something you later regret!).
Do your homework
New York City is a hotbed for antiques, and it’s easy to get lost in the vast array of items for sale. Luckily, we’ve compiled a list of tips to help you navigate your way through the city’s antique shops.
1. Don’t be afraid to ask questions
2. Be prepared to pay
3. Know what you’re looking for
4. Shop around before making a purchase
5. Don’t forget about the flea markets!
But how do you know what’s worth buying? It’s easy: just follow this handy guide.
1. Don’t be afraid to ask questions! If something looks like it was made in the late 1800s or early 1900s, but it has a modern finish on it, chances are good that someone just refinished it and didn’t actually have it restored by an expert.
2. Don’t fall in love with anything until after you’ve done your research! Sometimes people will try to pass off fake antiques as real ones because they think they’ll get more money if they can convince someone that the piece is older than it really is. You can avoid this by doing your research beforehand so that when someone tries to sell you something too good to be true (like a chair for $3000 that is actually worth $300).
Make a travel plan
A good place to start is with a Google search for “antiques New York City.” This will give you a list of all the antique shops currently operating in the city, as well as some reviews from past customers. You can also use Google Maps to find antique stores near where you’ll be staying while visiting the city.
Save these two locations New York City antique stores on your google maps.
Olde Good Things Antique Store – Broadway Upper West side
Next divide the city by borough then by section name, example, Olde Good Thing Broadway is in Manhattan on the Upper West Side. The closer you can group the antique stores the more time you will save.
