Antique shops are doorways to the past.

"They are unique; antiques appeal to everyone, no matter their age," Ellen Laguatan, the owner of Sweets-N-Stuff, said.

A pleasant woman with a quick smile, Laguatan offers customers a wide variety of candies and a perspective on Tacoma's Antique Row.  "Every time you go around a corner, you find a surprise, and when you go around the same corner, you find another surprise," she said.

Laguatan's business is located inside Sanford & Son Auctions (743 Broadway (253) 272-0334).  Sprinkled throughout the building are 20 small businesses.

The place is loaded with nostalgia.

With more than 25,000 square feet of space, Sanford & Son Auctions offers customers interested in antiques a wide variety of items.

"This place houses charming pieces of history that you can touch and feel," Julia Jones, owner of A Little Touch of Magick, said as she neatened up a display. "Antique shops allow us to recapture a part of our culture and community."

In order to contribute to the community, Jones is hosting Le Noir Bizarre (www.LeNoirBizarre.com), an All Hallows Eve celebration of the macabre on Oct. 30 from noon to 5 p.m. Donations from the event will benefit Stand Up For Kids Tacoma, a local charity.

While Sanford & Son is the largest shop on Antique Row, it certainly is not the only outlet to the past. Running up and down Broadway on Antique Row in a colorful blaze of signage are numerous stores like Lick's Antiques, Broadway's Best Antiques, Shepard House of Antiques and La Galerie.

"Shopping for antiques is a good way to get back to your roots," Malinda Gonnuscio, owner of Coastal Cards & Creations (www.coastalcards@gmail.com), said as she made handcrafted party favors. "Coming to Antique Row is fun and informative."

Other area antique stores of interest include:

Olympia

Finders Keepers Antique Mall, 501 4th Ave. East (360) 943-6454

Antique Olympia, 203 Ave. West (360) 786-9234

Courtyard Antique Mall, 705 4th Ave. East

Fun Junk, 3644 Mud Bay Road (360) 259-1796

Puyallup

King's Row Antiques, 110-112 West Main (253) 770-6456

Pioneer Antique Mall, 113 South Meridian (253) 380-4021

All Aboard Antique Company, 412 East Main

3rd Street Antiques, 201 3rd St. Southwest (253) 770-8021

Sumner

Whistle Stop Antique Mall, 1109 Main Street (253) 863-3309

Today's Country Store, 1008 Main Street (253) 826-6646