Let’s go on the road again, stopping at a few area antique malls.
We’ll start with Treasures Under Sugar Loaf, Winona, because they specialize in having a treasure for everyone.
“We have quality antiques, unique collectibles, home décor, and creative crafts,” Brenda Jannsen said of the family business she and her husband Doug started in 2008.
“When I think of September collectibles, I think of school. School collectibles. We had a customer who was remodeling an old schoolhouse. It was fun helping find vintage school items,” she said.
What I like about Treasures Under Sugar Loaf is the friendly atmosphere — they do everything they possibly can with their customers and vendors.
Open: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday through Monday.
Leaving Treasures Under Sugar Loaf, we head to Harmony and The New Generations of Harmony.
“There’s something inspiring about fall that makes decorating for it especially fun. Each year, we see rich woods and metals sell. Things like copper boilers, bushel baskets that make wonderful vessels for pumpkins and gourds. Wooden anything looks rich and warm all fall long and are inexpensive, easy to find at antique malls and shops, and versatile to decorate with,” said Joan Thilges. “Unmarked stoneware and crocks with chips or cracks can sometimes be found for just a few dollars to use for home decor. These look great with bittersweet. Each fall, a couple dealers bring in bittersweet and it sells out quickly. Oh and can’t forget the ever-popular gnomes.”
On Whitewater Avenue in St. Charles, we find Vintage Treasures and Home Decor, 1113 Whitewater Ave.
Owner Laurie Rucker said sunflowers are the first fall décor she puts out and they sell quickly. Of course pumpkins mixed with vintage items and furniture make for great fall décor, she added.
Open: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday.
Next stop is Sarah’s Uniques and Jim’s Man’tiques, 912 Whitewater Ave.
“I love using the antique and vintage items for fall,” said Sarah Kieffer. “I have those nail kegs, old rusty forks and rakes to use and large rusty pieces such as industrial carts or cream carts outside the house to fill with pumpkins, straw or hay bails, etc. We also have old metal baskets, wood boxes and wood benches”
She said good accent pieces are fall print trays, linens, lanterns, crocks and pottery with apples and pumpkins, dishware such as Autumn Leaf pattern, aprons and patchwork quilts.
“And of course Jim’s cast iron stoves, both small and large that can actually be used,” she said.
Open: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday, 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Friday, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday.
Sandy Erdman is a Winona-based freelance writer and certified appraiser concentrating on vintage, antique and collectible items. Send comments and story suggestions to Sandy at life@postbulletin.com.