There’s some kind of magic in owning things with a history, a past you know little to nothing about. Whether you like to research the pieces you find, or prefer a little mystery, it’s undeniable there’s a certain depth 和 richness to the treasure hunt of thrifting 和 antiquing. I think secondh和 shopping exists in the way the radio 和 cable television still exist—because there’s just something satisfying, when you’ve been patiently wading through junk TV or meh lyrics or decades-old vegetable choppers with missing blades, about stumbling on just the right thing. Upon coming to the Upper Peninsula, I wasn’t sure what to expect of the secondh和 scene. I traveled from a bigger city in southwest Missouri that had 旧货商店s 和 flea markets by the dozen. So, I didn’t get my hopes up. 
我发现, 虽然, ,hg6668皇冠登录, Negaunee, 和 Ishpeming are an experience in their own, 和, as customary of the fine 和 friendly locals, people are ready 和 willing to point me in the right direction. The first shop I was told to visit, by a charming barista at Dead River Coffee in hg6668皇冠登录, is the Main Street Antique Mall 在Ishpeming. It’s three stories, offers an eclectic 和 well-curated inventory, 和 if you take a shot every time you see a book by Robert Traver, you’ll have alcohol poisoning after a cursory glance around the first floor. 
It took me close to three hours to look through every alcove on each level, 和 I walked out with a h和-carved pineapple cribbage board 和 a vintage, mustard-yellow Pyrex mixing bowl. Each was priced around five dollars—a steal of a deal. The proprietor was probably my favorite part of the experience, 虽然, 和 not just because he takes credit cards. He was friendly, 机智灵敏的, 和 clearly in love with his shop 和 the town itself, taking a few minutes to brag on how supportive the community is 和 how hard they work to promote 和 protect each other. 
The shop is a must-visit for anything from mid-century 家具 to vintage 服装 to quality knives 和 snowshoes. Another spot I was told not to miss is the Old Bank Building in Negaunee. This was probably my favorite of the places I browsed through, 和 虽然 their hours are fairly limited right now due to renovations (Tuesday-Saturday, 11 am-4pm), 经营者, who greeted me with kind eyes 和 a most welcoming disposition, assured me they’d be exp和ing the hours again very soon—hopefully within the next month. The shop has big plans; they’re currently absorbing the natural food market down the street, which he thinks will give the place more of a “general store” feel, 和 in the near future he’ll be opening a coffee bar 和 deli on the first floor. This shop had the best selection as far as quality 和 price, 在我看来, 和 each room held a relatively sparse amount, which is a welcomed contrast to the flea market/antique shop norm. 
As far as thrifting goes, I’ve visited the Goodwill in hg6668皇冠登录 和 the St. Vincent de Paul thrift stores (or St. Vinny’s as the locals call it) in both hg6668皇冠登录 和 Ishpeming. All have yielded fun mugs, 家具, 服装, 和 knick-knacks, 并, 总的来说, very reasonably priced. (Though, both St. Vinny’s 和 Goodwill err on the side of bulk pricing for 服装, which can feel like luck or extortion depending on the item.) I’m sure there are plenty more secondh和 shops I’ve not made it to, but according to a h和ful of local treasure hunters, these are the go-to spots. Words 和 Photos by Brenna Womer
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