Tressie Schindele moved her Funkoma Vintage antique shop from the Tacoma Dome District to downtown Tacoma, well, because it just made sense.



“There’s just more traffic on Antique Row,” Schindele smiles as she shares why she and a band of merry gentlemen moved to 712 Broadway.



Recognize the address? It’s the Rampart Building, former home of deceased Steve Craig’s antique store as well as Tacoma’s self-proclaimed first co-op gallery.



“So many great memories were made in the Rampart Building,” states Schindele, a downtown Tacoma advocate.



The Evergreen State College graduate has joined efforts with longtime friends and vintage/antique loving cohorts Glen Ripple, Larry Williams and Mustafa Larabot.



I pick up a Michael Jordan trading card from the floor and lay it on top of a display case. Ripple notices and laughs as he talks about how much they have to offer and the variety of items they sell.



“Larry shows up with a truck full of stuff every morning,” explains Ripple.



Antique wardrobes, tables of all dimensions and styles, mirrors, lamps, ethnic masks, bicycles, planters, paintings, massive display cases housing sparkly baubles, curving vases, carved and polished driftwood, thick glass apothecary medicine bottles, hand-painted tea service sets — all housed in what Schindele and the guys call the Funkoma/Amocat Antique Market.



As I wander in the back room to peruse Schindele’s choice clothing picks, something black and white catches my attention. A seriously saucy pair of striped faux zebra hair pumps has just won my heart. I am more than happy to hand over $20 — not just for the shoes but as a thank-you for the stellar conversation.



Schindele’s motto — “always cute and never mediocre” — is accurate. A welcome addition to Antique Row, all involved with Funkoma/Amocat Antique Market are glad to be in the downtown Tacoma area again. Ripple particularly loves the high ceilings of the building, which is good since barely five weeks have passed since they moved in and already the merchandise is climbing high.



And he loves the ghosts. I am promised there are great stories to be told, but that’s for another day. 



[Funkoma/Amocat Antique Market, noon to 7 p.m. daily, 712 Broadway on Antique Row, Tacoma, 253.830.4891, www.funkomavintage.com]