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Shopping for Vintage Finds

You can find vintage treasures throughout the Lee County mainland and its islands: everything from kitschy, old-time pink flamingo bric-a-brac to colonial oak furniture.
By Chelle Koster Walton

Judy's Antiques, Fort Myers
Judy's Antiques, Fort Myers
As the sign in a downtown Fort Myers antique shop informs: "Everything Old is New Again."

You can find vintage treasures throughout the Lee County mainland and its islands: everything from kitschy, old-time pink flamingo bric-a-brac to colonial oak furniture. Begin your treasure hunting on Fort Myers' royal palm-lined McGregor Boulevard, where Thomas Edison, Henry Ford and many of the town's forefathers lived.

McGregor Antique Mall

Just northeast of the intersection of McGregor and College Parkway, the McGregor Antiques District forms a small huddle of four antique shops and a consignment store across the street. McGregor Antique Mall is the largest of the group, with a folksy and nostalgic air, selling household goods, books, toys, country-style furnishings and more, all at reasonable prices.

Judy's Antiques

In the same cluster, Judy's specializes in estate jewelry, sterling, crystal and other fine buys from the past.


McGregor Boulevard Yard Sales

Every weekend – especially during the winter season – you will see a forest of signs planted along McGregor advertising yard and garage sales. It's a popular sport for many locals to drive from sale to sale in search of that rare find.

Fancy Flamingo Antiques

Downtown Fort Myers holds a few more timeless treasures in vintage buildings. Fancy Flamingo displays a wide variety of clothing, housewares, dolls, toys and
Island Trading Post, Sanibel Island
Island Trading Post, Sanibel Island
knickknacks between red brick interior walls.

Margie's Antique Market Place

The largest collection of furniture you'll find downtown fills a couple of warehouse-sized buildings at Margie's. Period reproductions, antiques, art and other collectibles inhabit more than 20,000 square feet.

Noels

Climb the steps off Hendry Street and feel like you're sneaking into grandma's attic to reach gallery-like rooms full of books, clothing and other select "retro, deco, funk, junk," as the tagline reads.

The Vintage Emporium

This off-the-beaten-path shop is fun anytime of the year, but especially for Halloween or June weddings. Owner Wende Gilmore deals entirely in era clothing, carrying everything from tuxes and wedding gowns to a gaudy bell-bottom jumpsuit and jaunty fur-trimmed hats. She throws a monthly dress-up party, so call to get on her e-mail list.

The Swap Shop

En route to Fort Myers Beach, this blast from the past specializes in art pottery and décor items from the '50s.

Islander Trading Post

Feel like you've walked into an old country store at this Sanibel Island fixture. Vintage nautical paraphernalia fills one back room, and every shelf, drawer, nook and cranny holds bits and pieces of bygone eras.


Noah's Ark

Tucked into a room behind St. Michael & All Angels Church on Sanibel Island, it's the pick of the locals for fun thrift shopping. Expect to find like-new castoffs and something that sparks fond memories of "the good old days."


If You Go …

Fancy Flamingo Antiques, 239-334-1133

Islander Trading Post, 239-395-0888, www.islandertradingpost.biz

Judy's Antiques, 239-481-9600

Margie's Antique Market Place, 239-332-3321

McGregor Antique Mall, 239-433-0200

Noah's Ark, 239-472-2173

Noels, 239-332-2778

The Swap Shop, 239-432-0906

The Vintage Emporium, 239-936-4888

Last modified on Mar 06, 2007

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