Whether you’re a seasoned shopper, or just looking to pick up a special gift, you can’t go wrong with any of these top antique retailers in Sydney. From antique furniture and collectibles, to vintage clothing and home decor, you’re sure to find something you like.
Chilton’s
If you are looking for a great place to buy antique jewellery in Australia, then you should visit Chilton’s Antiques. This shop has a team of experts to help you pick the best pieces. They have a wide variety of vintage earrings, pendants, and rings to choose from.
Another antique store that you should consider visiting is Greene and Greene. This store has a great selection of high quality vintage pieces from Victorian, Edwardian, and Art Deco periods. The store is located in the heart of Sydney, and they can accommodate all of your antique jewelry needs. You can also take advantage of their restoration services.
Sedgwicks Antique & Estate Jewellery is another company that can help you with your vintage jewellery needs. Sedgwicks’ founder is a Registered Jeweler and a Certified Diamond Grader. He also has qualifications in Licensed Secondhand Dealer. This company is based in Sydney, and they are open Monday to Saturday.
The Sydney Jewellery Store is another great place to buy vintage jewellery. Located in the famous Strand Arcade, this shop has a huge assortment of vintage and classic pieces to choose from. It is also a great place to find unique gifts.
Dr Russell’s Imaginarium
If you love antiques then you’ve probably already heard of Dr Russell’s Imaginarium. Part antiques store, part museum, this unique shop is set amongst old neon signage and a warehouse full of curiosities. The building itself dates back to the 1890s and is filled with treasures, tin toys, cameras, old-world shop advertising, space memorabilia and coins.
Not only does Dr Russell’s Imaginarium offer a great shopping experience, it’s also a unique place to learn about the history of Guildford. It’s located in a heritage walk along the river. There’s a museum at the Cradle of the Colony and the Rose and Crown, Australia’s oldest hotel, is nearby.
The store is run by Phill Russell, who has built up a collection over the years. This includes Roman coins, figurines, antique telephones and apothecary bottles. Some of the most unusual and interesting items include a genuine priest’s habit.
Another great place to pick up antiques in Sydney is the Rubi Rocket. This quirky store has an amazing range of mid-century furniture and lighting. They even have a ceramic lamp base made from Bitossi, perfect for maximalists.
For more unusual and fun antiques, you could try the Curio Warehouse. Their shop contains all kinds of homewares, including quirky collectables. Plus, they’ve got a rental service for those who’d rather not spend all their cash.
Jones of Guildford
If you’re looking for a wide range of vintage items, you’ll need to head to one of the best antiques retailers in Sydney. Located in Guildford, a vibrant part of Sydney’s northern suburbs, Jones of Guildford has plenty of space to display its wares.
The store’s walls are packed with antique furniture, household items and industrial finds. It also has a huge selection of vintage records. There’s a large stall dedicated to Glomesh purses, as well as colour-coded shelves for vintage glassware. And for those who are looking for a piece that will set the perfect mood, you can find the perfect deck chair here.
In addition to vintage treasures, the store also stocks a huge array of antique and modern jewellery. You’ll find pieces from all around the world here. They’re all well-preserved and come from a variety of different eras.
Another longstanding antiques retailer in Sydney is Rubi Rocket. This store has been in the Redfern area for years and has a cool selection of mid-century furnishings.
For something a little different, you might want to try out Retro Spectrum. This stall is located next door to the Fairy Meadows Antique Centre. Their extensive collection of mid-century furniture will suit the tastes of both minimalists and maximalists.
Dr Marple’s Tearoom
One of the oldest, and most successful antique stores in the country, Dr Marple’s Tearoom has been chugging away at the aforementioned fine tea for well over a decade. As you’ll discover, the place is a veritable trove of tchotchkes. From china ware to sterling silver, you’ll be able to score the perfect table centerpiece for your next shindig. The place is also home to a handful of designer vintage garments. Located a stone’s throw from Sydney’s CBD, the store is well worth a visit. In a nutshell, you’ll find a plethora of collectables on display, as well as a plethora of aficionados in the know. A visit to the shop is sure to make you smile, if not scream. To boot, the staff are some of the nicest people you’ll ever meet. After you’ve sampled their wares, why not go on a mini tour of the premises?
Unlike its predecessor, the company is still in business and still owned by the same family, which is a good thing. For starters, it is the home of a slew of devoted antique enthusiasts.
Restore in Seven hills
The Restore in Seven Hills is one of the best thrift stores in the area. As the name suggests, it is a multidisciplinary op shop that offers vintage furniture, retro kitchenware, and plenty of other stuff that you won’t find at your average second hand store. In addition, the Restore also offers a cafe where you can dine on a variety of tasty treats.
The Restore has been in business since 2007, and has managed to survive two recessions. It is a nonprofit venture that relies on donations from residents of the township. This enables the store to offer a large selection of used goods, including new and gently used items from brands like Adidas, Burberry, Coles, H&M, and more.
As a charity, it is no surprise that the Restore in Seven Hills has a well thought out plan to give back to its community. The store uses a portion of its proceeds to support the needs of students in the Seven Hills School district. While it’s unclear how much of its revenues go to supporting the school, the store has funded athletic infrastructure and curriculum needs for the school.
The op shop has made a name for itself in the local community as the best source of secondhand goodies, but what about its charitable component?
Storeroom Vintage
In Sydney, there are a wide variety of antique and secondhand stores. These stores are great for finding unique and one of a kind items at reasonable prices. Some of these antique stores in Sydney have been open for a long time.
One of the best thrift stores in Sydney is The Restore in Seven Hills. The store only stocks the highest quality second hand goods and they also have a cafe. This shop has a wide range of items, including furniture, clothing and jewellery.
Bronte Tram is a multidisciplinary op shop that sells, buys and restores vintage furniture. They also offer a buy, trade and swap service. You can also hire their furniture or paint it yourself.
Another great vintage store is Erin’s Vintage. Leanne Carter-Taylor has been running the Sydney Homewares Store for almost a decade. She offers tailoring services as well. Her shop is known for its personalised service and unique pieces.
The Urban Thrift Store has a good vibe. It’s a little pricier than other thrift stores but it’s worth the money. Their clothes are unique and they have a great selection of items.
If you want a bit more variety, try visiting one of the other specialised vintage stores in Sydney. Zoo Emporium Vintage has an excellent selection of antique furniture, glassware and collectible vintage looks.
Mangana
If you want to buy high quality collectibles for your home, the best way to do so is by going to a specialty store. You won’t find these items at a local furniture or antiques store. Instead, they are sourced from auctions, flea markets and remote pockets. The best stores are staffed by specialists who know what they are doing. And you will never have to worry about buying something that doesn’t suit your taste.
For the ultimate in artisanal collectibles, head to the Mangana shop in Olinda. In this boutique, you will discover a variety of unique, handcrafted pieces that are perfect for your home. Items such as Indian carved ivory letter openers and a paperweight depicting Captain James Cook will set you back a bit, but will bring your decor to life.
Also worth a visit is the Darlinghurst Antiques Corner Store, a long-standing business that has operated for nearly two decades in the same tiny room. Here, you can expect to find all kinds of things, from well-preserved collections to interesting one-off pieces. There are no strict rules on what era or style the items should be, so you can find whatever you’re looking for.
