Your Guide to Vintage Shopping in Durham
In some instances, the best way to breathe new life into your closet and home décor is with unique finds that are, well, on their second life.
Posted By Shayla Martin
With a bit of time and patience, you can find your next one-of-a-kind wardrobe staple or statement furniture piece from one of Durham’s high-quality vintage, antique, and consignment shops. Not sure where to start? Here’s a guide to Durham’s vintage and repurposed shopping scene. Use it like a map and find your hidden treasure!
Clothing & Accessories
Both ladies and gents can play dress up at the vibrant Dolly’s Vintage boutique, which specializes in both vintage wear like dresses and suit jackets, as well as accessories such as purses, shoes, hats, and sunglasses. The clothing is complemented by quirky newer items like colorful wigs, tutus, mod socks, and Bull City-branded mugs, t-shirts, bumper stickers, and flasks.
Find high-end designer threads at a fraction of the price at Mode. The consignment shop has multiple locations across North Carolina and Florida, and the Durham location is right in the middle of Brightleaf. Start building a wardrobe of investment pieces at Mode with brands like Salvatore Ferragamo, Kate Spade, and Gucci, or pick out fun costume jewelry for your next party.
Based in Durham but sold solely online, Jenni Leigh Creations utilizes refurbished and repurposed materials to create funky and bold handmade necklaces, earrings, bracelets, and rings. Most items are one-of-a-kind, or you can place a custom order so you can own a truly unique piece tailored to your taste, featuring gorgeous gemstones, beads, and natural materials.
Don’t leave the kids out of the shopping fun! Kidcycle is a one-of-a-kind children's consignment sale showcased a twice a year by the Diaper Bank of NC at Northgate Mall. Parents and children can find incredible deals on gently used items for infants, moms-to-be, children’s clothing and toys, teen clothing, and even useful items like car seats, strollers, high chairs, and cribs. The website lists the dates of each upcoming seasonal sale, and admission is free to attend on the “public sale” days.
Antique & Repurposed Furniture
Affordability is the name of the game at Classic Treasures, where both gently used items and new pieces fill the showroom. In addition to mid-century modern style sofas and custom-made dining sets, shoppers can find statement pieces built to last a lifetime, like handcrafted dining and end tables made from reclaimed barn wood. There are also smaller home décor items like lamps, candles, and vases.
Once & Again consignment gallery supports local artisans, collectors, estate and yard sale “pickers”, and shoppers looking for a classic treasure. In addition to furniture, find items like grandfather clocks, glass and crystal table wares and China tea sets. Once & Again also offers a flat-rate delivery service for a 50-mile radius.
Vintage and used furniture comes alive at Patina, where shoppers can find high-quality vintage items that are immediately ready to find a spot in your home, or pieces that the owner herself has painted or refurbished. Oriental rugs, Italian sconces, hand-painted sideboards, and vintage wrought-iron gate doors for your garden are only a small sample of what you may find.
The light and airy Vintage Home South shop on Ninth Street is home to a collection of products in the theme of French country farmhouse — items like wood and wicker benches, distressed bookcases, and plush, oversized couches and lounge chairs. If you’re not in the market for furniture, you can still get the farmhouse look with stylish throw pillows, sunburst mirrors, and wooden milk crates.
Specializing in upcycled and reupholstered chairs, HangarOne offers furniture finds for both residential spaces and offices. You’ll find midcentury modern furniture as well as handmade pillows. Shop HangarOne’s Etsy store or in person.