Since the inception of Antiques Roadshow 14 years ago, the program has become PBS's highest-rated series, with almost 10 million viewers each week.
On the show, the country's leading auction houses such as Christie's and Sotheby's, offer free appraisals of antiques and collectibles.
The appraisal show caught on and antique sales have increased all over the world. Millions of Americans are watching the television show to learn about antiques and then perusing their local shops to make purchases based on what they saw.
In Washington, shops are located in almost every town and city, including Tacoma, Puyallup, Seattle and Olympia. Each city offers antique enthusiasts a number of quaint and renowned districts in which to shop. These stores offer everything from postcards, comic books, coins and collectibles to European chandeliers, hardwood furnishings and home décor items.
Regardless of what you are in the market for, local shops have something for every kind of shopper. Below is a list of local shops located throughout the area to check out.
3rd Street Antiques
201 3rd Street SE, Puyallup
(253) 445-1435
www.3rdstreetantiques.com
3rd Street Antiques is a 15,000 square-foot antique mall that contains items from more than 60 vendors. The largest antique store in the Puyallup antique district, this store has fine art glass, pottery, vintage toys, costume and estate jewelry, collectible cars, dolls, vintage and unique one-of-a-kind clothing and home décor.
Vintage Antiques
Custom Picture Framing & Auburn Coin Shop
101 "D" Street, NE, Auburn
(253) 333-6337
www.antiquescoinsandframing.com
Opened in September 2001, this shop serves as an antique, coin and framing store. Antiques sold at the store include clocks, china, furniture, jewelry and postcards. The coin shop specializes in vintage U.S. Coins, mint and proof sets, and foreign coins and currency.
Summit Lake Antiques
10724 Summit Lake Road, NW, Olympia
(360) 866-0580
www.summitlakeantiques.com
This shop is a three-building, 25-year-old business located in a wooded area near Summit Lake. The shop contains a variety of oak, walnut and mahogany furniture, collectible Lionel trains and other pieces that date from even before the Victorian period through the 1930s.
Up the Creek Antiques
209 North Tower, Centralia
(360) 330-0427
www.upthecreek-antiques.com
Located in the historic antiques district of Centralia, this shop is two floors of American oak, mahogany and walnut furniture, perfect for the home or office.
European Antiques of Seattle
6th and Olive, Seattle
(206) 447-3428
www.euroantiquesseattle.com
This shop specializes in European antiques that include unique handmade rugs, antique reproduction furniture, handmade glassware, lighting, crystal candelabras, paintings, prints and giftware.
Lily Pad Antiques
756 Broadway, Tacoma
(253) 444-6673
www.webuyoldtoys-wa.com
Lily Pad Antiques, Old Toys and Comics store has an inventory of old toys, collectible toys, comic books, collectible dolls, hot wheels, tins, matchboxes and other collectibles.
Sanford & Son Antiques
743 Broadway, Tacoma
(253) 272-0334
www.nwsource.com/ae/scr/edb_vd.cfm?ven=46514&s=nws
With three levels and 25,000 square-feet, this shop is the largest antique and vintage shop in the Pacific Northwest.
Other Web sites to check out: