5 Driveable Thriftables
treat yourself to a unique antiquing adventure at these five shops
Taylor Reisdorf, photos by Andrea Paulseth
Here’s a list of five notable spots in or within driving distance of the Chippewa Valley that are perfect for those on a hunt to find quality and unique antiques and vintage items.
1. Eclectica on Grand
106 W. Grand Ave., Eau Claire • facebook.com/eclecticaEC
This little shop, located across the footbridge from South Barstow Street, supplies antique treasure hunters with a variety of jewelry, seasonal decor, and “worldly” items.
2. Collective Charm
16 W Columbia St, Chippewa Falls • Find it on Facebook
Located in the bustling center of Chippewa Falls, this shop delights collectors and explorers alike. Collective Charm offers up antique, upcycled, restored, and vintage treasures from furniture to farmhouse decor; all sourced from local vendors. Featuring silver, carnival glass, military artifacts, and even books by local authors, it's a great place whether you're looking for a gift for a friend – or for yourself.
3. In Retrospect
312 E. Madison St., Eau Claire • Find it on Facebook
Take a trip down memory lane at In Retrospect – formerly known as Retro Distortion – a one-stop nostalgia shop. The store features toys (ranging from the ’60s to the present), books, and antiques. A few notable items in the store’s “oddity corner” include a shark in a jar and antique surgical tools.
4. Antique Emporium
306 Main St., Eau Claire
This one may be a bit obvious, but the Antique Emporium is always worth a walk-through if you’re in search of some solid antiques. The massive store houses a plethora of sought-after antiques – like large furniture pieces, sculptures, art glass, and mounds of books and paper ephemera. The items found in-store are diverse and customer dissatisfaction is about as rare as the items on display.
5. Egg Palace Antiques
4263 N. Prairie View Road, Chippewa Falls • eggpalaceantiques.com
Proclaiming itself “The Most Unique Antique Shop in the Eau Claire and Chippewa Falls Area,” Egg Palace Antiques has an immense inventory. With items including (but not limited to) art deco, collector plates, furniture, glassware, pottery, and prints, Egg Palace promises a customer-friendly and surprising experience.
