North Central Florida is a hub of art and creativity, manifesting through its vast collection of antique stores. With so many to choose from, here are a few options to get you started on your antiquing journey.
Antique Emporium
Located off of I-75, the Antique Emporium is a staple in Marion County’s antique scene.
Guests are greeted with walls lined with cases of jewelry, collectibles, vintage pieces, clothes and furniture.
Lori Meade has managed Antique Emporium for the past 12 years. The emporium houses over 60 vendors at a time, Meade said, most of whom have been antiquing for years.
Consistency in vendors grants the emporium a reliable supply of goods that keeps customers coming back, she said.
The business also hosts younger vendors to provide a more modern, refined selection that may better appeal to college students, she said.
Lauren Jackson, a 21-year-old UF music education senior, visited the shop for the first time on May 15.
Jackson bases the quality of each antique spot on two things: variety and layout, both of which she found upon her first visit to Antique Emporium, she said.
“There’s a lot of cool things to look at,” Jackson said. “We’ve been here for an hour and a half, and we haven’t gone upstairs yet.”
The Antique Emporium is open every day from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Waldo’s Antique Village
Waldo’s Antique Village is a hotspot for collectors’ items.
Standing tall in the Waldo Flea Market for the past 33 years, the store has a reputation of being one of the last major antique malls in Florida. With over 70 vendors, the antique barn sells antiques and collectibles.
Customers can find vintage jewelry, furniture, knick knacks and clothing, as well as collectible items such as toys, quilts and games.
Bryce Bowden, a 21-year-old Apopka resident, traveled with his two friends to visit after hearing about it on TikTok.
“We kind of bounce around a bunch of antique shops,” Bowden said. “Everyone talked about how this is one of the bigger ones in Florida, so we drove two hours down here to go check it out.”
After spending the afternoon sifting through the shop’s wares, Bowden said he’d be back for more.
Waldo’s Antique Village is open 10 a.m to 6 p.m. on weekdays and 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekends.
Uniquities
Nestled in downtown Gainesville, family-owned antique furniture store Uniquities is a go-to for interior decor.
After retiring in Gainesville, owner Betty Freddes wanted to get involved in local business with her daughter.
“We looked around and realized there were no nice used furniture stores,” Freddes said.
She and her daughter now work to solve that problem. They’ve curated a hefty selection of upscale, unscathed vintage furniture. Customers can find paintings, tables, chairs, lamps, wall ornaments and other niche items to satisfy all their decorating needs.
Rustic wooden tables overflow with decorative trays, candles and antique books. Living room sets complemented by Victorian-style mirrors showcase the decor potential.
Uniquities is open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and noon to 4 p.m. Saturday.
AUK Market
The AUK Market offers an alternative approach to antiquing where old meets new. Located next to Curia on the Drag, its artsy, eclectic vibe appeals to college students.
The store offers a thoughtfully arranged space where curated vintage clothing, accessories and locally sourced handmade pieces are displayed with care and creativity. Natural light fills the space, highlighting everything from handmade jewelry to retro Playboy magazines.
The woman-owned business provides a multi-dimensional front. The space continually transforms to host creative workshops, pop-up markets and art features.
The AUK Market is open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. every day except Tuesday.
Contact Ailish Coughlin at acoughlin@alligator.org. Follow them on X @AilishCoughlin.
